As part of various initiatives and plans to strengthen its presence and deterrence and response capabilities in Asia, the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed that it is working on establishing a second “super” squadron of F-16 fighters in South Korea. The decision, announced by USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin, is part of the second phase of a broader plan that began in 2024 with the formation of the first “super” squadron at Kunsan Air Base.
During 2024, the U.S. Seventh Air Force — which oversees operations and personnel stationed and deployed in South Korea and the Northwest Pacific — advanced in forming the first “Super Squadron,” made up of F-16 fighters from various bases across the Korean Peninsula.
One of the objectives of this plan, which has been under testing and evaluation since its formal launch in August 2024, is to optimize combat capability and aircraft availability in support of the U.S.-South Korea alliance in particular, and of partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific region more broadly.
Efforts under what was called Phase I included the redeployment of nine F-16 fighters and personnel from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons at Kunsan Air Base. These were integrated for a one-year period into the 36th Fighter Squadron based at Osan Air Base. As a result, the receiving unit increased its number of fighter jets from 22 to 31.
Based on the results to date, Lieutenant General David Iverson, commander of the Seventh Air Force, stated: “The data from the past several months shows that we are on the right track and that the consolidated, larger unit has shown certain increases in readiness and combat capability, though it has also revealed some challenges.” He added: “With this success, we are now expanding the scope, consolidating the Seventh Air Force’s F-16s at Osan to further determine if the super squadron model is the right path forward for generating airpower in the future here in Korea.”
Although Phase I is still ongoing, the Seventh Air Force has received the green light from the USAF Chief of Staff to proceed, in the coming months, with the formation of a second Super Squadron of 31 F-16 fighters in South Korea. These aircraft will be transferred from Kunsan Air Base to Osan Air Base, along with the relocation of one thousand personnel.
As a result, the number of F-16 fighters operated by the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan will be reduced. In response to concerns, the U.S. Air Force stated that it “…will continue to operate as a primary location for exercises and rotational basing of U.S. air component forces in the Republic of Korea. It will maintain active flightline and facility operations, as well as retain contingency war reserve materiel and munitions at multiple locations throughout South Korea.”
Finally, while Phase I is still underway, the U.S. Air Force has not provided further details or dates regarding the start of the transfer of personnel and aircraft to form the second Super Squadron. It only mentioned that the Personnel Center will begin assessments to determine which personnel will be assigned to the new destination, aiming to “…minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for our Airmen throughout this process.”
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