U.S. Air Force to assign 31 F-16 fighter jets to Osan for ‘Super Squadron’ test

The U.S. 7th Air Force will temporarily assign 31 F-16 fighter jets to Osan Air Base as part of efforts to enhance readiness and combat capabilities, the U.S. Air Force unit stationed in South Korea said Friday. Under the yearlong plan, nine F-16s at the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base will be relocated to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the 7th Air Force. The temporary shift, which will raise the number of assigned F-16s at Osan to 31 to form a "Super Squadron," is meant to test its impact on sortie generation, manpower, maintenance and logistics requirements, it added. "This test is an opportunity for us to see if squadrons of this size increase our training effectiveness while also increasing our combat capability if deterrence fails," Lt. Gen. David. R. Iverson, commander of the 7th Air Force, said in a release. Source: Yonhap News Agency