In brief
On 29 October 2026, the South Korean KF‑21 “Boramae” squadron performed its inaugural formation flight with U.S. forces over the Yellow Sea. The exercise, involving U‑2S, F‑35, F‑16 from the U.S. and F‑35, F‑15K, FA‑50 from the ROK Air Force, served as a rehearsal for the biannual Freedom Flag drills and demonstrated interoperability between the two air forces. The event also highlighted Korea’s progress toward deploying a fleet of more than 100 KF‑21s by early 2030.
On 29 October 2026, South Korea’s KF‑21 “Boramae” fighter jet flew in formation with United States aircraft over the Yellow Sea, a milestone achieved just days before the biannual Freedom Flag joint air drills.
The Korean Aircraft, belonging to the 156th Fighter Squadron of the 16th Fighter Wing, joined U.S. U‑2S Dragon Lady reconnaissance planes and F‑35 and F‑16 fighters for the first time in a coordinated formation flight. “The Friendship Flight demonstrated the combined interoperability and combat readiness of the U.S. Air Force and ROKAF forces on the Korean Peninsula, showcasing how the air forces of both nations integrate directly during flying operations,” stated a release from the U.S. Seventh Air Force posted on the U.S. Forces Korea website.
A Korean Air Force official explained that the flight was aimed at accumulating experience for the KF‑21 ahead of the Freedom Flag drills.
Formation flight is a tactical maneuver in which multiple aircraft fly in a pre‑planned geometric pattern, allowing them to coordinate speed, altitude, and heading. The exercise tested the BF‑21’s ability to maintain tight formations with mature U.S. platforms.
The KF‑21 is Korea’s first indigenous fighter built with domestic technology. The program began in 2015 to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of U.S.‑made F‑4 and F‑5 jets. The final production model was delivered in July 2026, and the first aircraft was assigned to the 16th Fighter Wing last month. Korean planners intend to deploy more than 100 KF‑21s by early 2030, using them as a central asset in future air operations.
During the joint flight, the U.S. contribution included a combination of high‑altitude reconnaissance (U‑2S) and advanced combat aircraft (F‑35 and F‑16). On the Korean side, teams flew F‑35s, F‑15K Strike Eagles, FA‑50 Ground Attack aircraft, and the new KF‑21. The mix of platforms emphasized interoperability across both legacy and next‑generation fighters.
The Freedom Flag drills, which commenced on Monday, are scheduled biannually and focus on joint operational planning, air-to-air combat, and combined sortie execution. The introductory formation flight provided an early rehearsal for pilots and command planners, ensuring compatibility between avionics, communication, and radar systems.
According to the Korean Air Force, the KF‑21’s ability to conduct flights in close formation with U.S. jets confirms that the aircraft’s integrated avionics suite meets the interoperability standards set by the U.S. DoD. The exercise also allowed pilots to share mission data and practice missile launch scenarios in a cooperative environment.
Experts note that the use of the U‑2S in the exercise highlighted the importance of high‑altitude surveillance in varied threat scenarios, while the F‑35 and F‑16 provided advanced fighter capabilities that test the KF‑21’s own air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground systems.
Operational planners anticipate that the KF‑21 will play a pivotal role in future joint exercises and potential theaters of operation. The ongoing introduction of a larger number of KF‑21s, aligned with integration of advanced sensor and weapons packages, promises to shift the balance of power toward a more autonomous Korean defense posture.
The event represents a critical step in South Korea’s pursuit of self‑reliant aerospace technology, while simultaneously strengthening tactical bonds with U.S. forces operating on the Korean Peninsula.
