Following the recent reaction from the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army regarding the presence of U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, South Korea’s Ministry of Defense lodged a formal complaint with United States Forces Korea (USFK) after a brief episode of aerial tension in the Yellow Sea. The incident, involving Chinese and American combat aircraft, was initially reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap and later echoed by Chinese media, in an event that involved more than ten aircraft deployed from Osan Air Base between February 9 and 13.
According to military sources, the U.S. Air Force F-16s were conducting training in international airspace as part of exercise Buddy Squadron 26-2 when they entered a location situated between the Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) of South Korea and China, in a sector where the two do not overlap. As reported, upon approaching the boundary of China’s ADIZ, aircraft from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force took off to monitor the activity, resulting in a brief “face-off” without either side formally crossing into the other country’s identification zone.
The activity, which included at least ten Fighting Falcons, brought together aircraft and personnel from the USAF’s 35th Fighter Wing based at Osan and the ROKAF’s 111th Fighter Wing from Kunsan Air Base. As is customary, the primary focus of the exercise was the execution of air defense missions aimed at detecting, identifying, and neutralizing simulated aerial threats, including hostile aircraft and cruise missiles.
“Our objective with this training is to enhance joint tactical capability between the forces of South Korea and the United States. By conducting defensive counter-air missions together, we strengthen our ability to operate as one team against potential threats,” said ROKAF Captain Jaeho Kang, a KF-16 pilot from the 111th Fighter Squadron.
Seoul’s reaction
Although no dangerous maneuvers, aggressive interceptions, or violations of sovereign airspace were reported, South Korea’s Ministry of Defense expressed concern over the situation and formally inquired with USFK regarding the planning of the exercise. Local media noted that it is not common for U.S. forces stationed in South Korea to conduct independent training so close to China’s ADIZ without prior coordination between the parties.
It should not be overlooked that the episode occurred in a particularly sensitive context for Seoul, which maintains a complex relationship with both Washington and Beijing, especially concerning security and stability issues on the Korean Peninsula, as well as matters involving neighboring North Korea.
From China, the state-run outlet Global Times reported that the Chinese Armed Forces responded “swiftly,” while analysts suggested that U.S. operations in the Yellow Sea may have been aimed at conducting close reconnaissance of Chinese military activities and response capabilities. However, from a legal standpoint, the incident took place in international airspace.
Yellow Sea: a recurring theater
The Yellow Sea has become an area of increasing friction among China, the United States, and other regional actors. In recent years, Washington has intensified air and naval activities in the area, while Beijing has expanded its patrol, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, reflected in enhanced response and interception capacities. For U.S. forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula, training over the Yellow Sea provides opportunities to rehearse air defense scenarios and highly contested operations, as was the case with exercise Buddy Squadron.
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