As part of efforts to strengthen its presence in South Korea, upgraded F-16 fighters from the United States Air Force (USAF), originating from Japan, recently arrived at Osan Air Base, located southwest of the city of the same name and about 65 kilometers south of Seoul, the country’s capital. The deployment has been highlighted by authorities, as these Vipers have received multiple upgrades as part of the modernization of the U.S. fleet — specifically the Block 40 and 50 variants — aimed at ensuring their operability through the 2040s.
According to official reports, the upgraded F-16s that arrived between June 26 and 27 at Osan Air Base, with the aim of integrating into the 51st Fighter Wing, were transferred from the 35th Fighter Wing based at Misawa Air Base in Japan.
In recent months, Osan Air Base — one of the most important U.S. Air Force facilities in the Republic of Korea — has been the epicenter of major rotations and deployments of personnel and combat assets. This has been driven in part by the planned retirement of the 24 A-10 attack aircraft operated by the 25th Fighter Squadron.
The phase-out of the A-10s in South Korea aligns with the broader decision by the USAF to advance their retirement to 2026, as outlined in recent budget proposals submitted to the U.S. Congress.
This development has led to several initiatives, most notably the formation of so-called “Super Squadrons” of F-16s, which will operate out of Osan Air Base. This plan, as previously announced by senior USAF leadership, is already underway with the creation of the first squadron composed of 31 F-16 fighter jets. Under Phase I of the plan, aircraft from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons at Kunsan Air Base have been temporarily reassigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron for a one-year redeployment to Osan.
Lieutenant General David Iverson, commander of the Seventh Air Force, stated: “Data from recent months shows that we’re on the right track and that the consolidated and larger unit has demonstrated increases in readiness and combat capability — although it has also exposed some challenges.” He added, “With this success, we’re now expanding the scope by consolidating the Seventh Air Force’s F-16s at Osan, to further determine whether the Super Squadron model is the right path for generating airpower here in Korea.”
The F-16s recently arrived at Osan from Misawa “…received a series of avionics upgrades, bringing them closer to fifth-generation capabilities. These upgrades enhance survivability, precision, and combat effectiveness.”
Although not explicitly mentioned in the official statement, the aircraft are believed to be Block 40 and 50 variants undergoing the Post-Block Integration Team (PoBIT) program, which aims to ensure their continued operability and effectiveness through the 2040s.
To that end, F-16s included in the program are equipped with new radar systems and receive upgrades to their computing and electronic warfare systems. A notable improvement is the installation and integration of the APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR).
In addition to these upgrades — covering a total of 22 systems — the aircraft are also undergoing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which increases the airframe’s flight life from 8,000 to 12,000 flight hours.
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