Framed by the Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting, held in Seoul, Mitsubishi F-2 fighters from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and F-16Ks from the South Korean Air Force escorted B-52H bombers from the United States Air Force (USAF) in a combined exercise over international waters of the Pacific and the East China Sea. According to the post on the official account of the Japanese Joint Staff, the training aimed to “demonstrate a powerful promotion of trilateral cooperation to face regional security challenges and demonstrates the commitment of the three countries to maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
The annual meeting, which brought together the top military leaders of the three nations, served to strengthen coordination in a context of growing tensions. General Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that the alliance has evolved from its initial focus on North Korea towards a broader security agenda, in response to the “unprecedented military buildup” of Pyongyang and Beijing.
For his part, the Chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kim, stressed that choosing Seoul as the host sends a clear message to the Indo-Pacific—the collaboration between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is consolidating as a pillar of stability. “In a scenario of advances in North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, along with other regional challenges, it is crucial to maintain this cooperative momentum,” he stated.
As part of the activities, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) deployed two F-2 fighters and a KC-767 tanker/transport aircraft, while the United States contributed two B-52H strategic bombers, and South Korea participated with one F-15K fighter, two F-16s, and a KC-330 tanker aircraft. With this, the maneuvers reflect the growing concern about the deterioration of the security environment in the region.
In addition, the three leaders agreed to expand the multidomain trilateral exercise Freedom Edge and condemned North Korea’s weapons program, as well as its military rapprochement with Russia.
This edition of the Tri-CHOD marks the first time Seoul hosts the summit. General Caine’s visit also constitutes the first by a U.S. military chief to South Korea since November 2023, when his predecessor, Charles Q. Brown Jr., traveled to the country. The last trilateral meeting was held in Tokyo, with the participation of Kim, Brown, and then Japanese defense chief Yoshida.
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