Ellsworth B-1B Lancer Executes Live Munitions Training Over South Korea.

On June 5, 2024, the US Air Force announced that a B-1B Lancer bomber participated in a joint exercise with the Republic of Korea's F-15K Slam Eagles. The training involved live munitions and close air support at Pilsung Range in South Korea, aimed at enhancing interoperability, lethality, and readiness of the air forces from both nations.
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The B-1B features a variable-sweep wing design and can execute a broad range of missions, from high-level bombing to maritime operations. (Picture source: US Air Force)

The operation included one B-1B from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, temporarily based at Andersen Air Base, Guam, and originally from Ellsworth Air Base, SD, along with two F-15Ks from the 11th Fighter Wing, Daegu Air Base. The aircraft successfully dropped GBU-38 500-pound joint direct attack munitions, hitting multiple simulated targets. This exercise was significant as it marked the first live munitions drop by the B-1 on the Korean peninsula since 2017, providing the alliance an opportunity to prepare for combat scenarios to defend the peninsula, thereby reinforcing their combined defense posture and demonstrating extended deterrence capabilities.

Lieutenant General David Iverson, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea and commander of the Seventh Air Force, noted that the training displayed the formidable ability of combined forces to simultaneously target multiple objectives in a contested environment.

The B-1B Lancer, developed by Rockwell International (now part of Boeing), initially flew in 1974 and was officially introduced into service with the United States Air Force in 1986, concluding production in 1988 with a total of 100 aircraft delivered. Known for carrying the largest payload of guided and unguided munitions in the Air Force's inventory, the B-1B features a variable-sweep wing design and can operate at high subsonic speeds. Its capacity to execute a broad range of missions, from high-level bombing to maritime operations, underscores its pivotal role in strategic global bombing.

Lieutenant Colonel Christian Hoover, commander of the 37th EBS, stated that the successful integration during the exercise demonstrates the B-1 fleet's ability to conduct precision strikes with live weapons in unfamiliar territories. This partnership with the Republic of Korea supports national security objectives through the bombers' speed, flexibility, and readiness.

Following the munitions deployment, the B-1 joined U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, U.S. Air Force F-16s, and KC-135 Stratotankers, along with ROK F-35As and KF-16s for air-to-air training in the western region of South Korea. This allowed for the integration of fifth and fourth-generation aircraft with bombers, further enhancing the combined capabilities of U.S. and ROK forces.

The latest joint military exercises involving forces from the United States and the Republic of Korea highlight the ongoing cooperation aimed at preserving stability on the Korean peninsula. With China's military expansion and North Korea's continued provocations, effective synchronization between U.S. and ROK forces is increasingly crucial. This strategic collaboration remains central to maintaining regional security in response to the evolving threats from neighboring nations.