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US Air Force B-1B Bombers Train with ROKAF to Strengthen Deterrence Against North Korean Threat.
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers conducted planned bilateral training on February 20, 2025, over South Korean territory in coordination with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Marine Corps. This joint exercise aims to maintain a high level of readiness and reinforce the allied forces’ ability to respond to the growing threat posed by North Korea to regional stability.
A U.S. Air Force F-16, left, flies in formation with a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, middle, and two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles, during a bilateral training event in the airspace over South Korea. (Picture source: US DoD)
During these maneuvers, three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons (51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base), four ROKAF F-35A Lightning IIs (17th Fighter Wing, Cheongju Air Base), and four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs (1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan) joined the B-1B bombers to conduct precision strike and air interdiction training. The goal is to enhance the alliance’s ability to carry out combined missions, even in a contested environment or in the face of provocations from North Korea.
“Advanced training like today’s allows us to maintain the high level of readiness required for our combined defense posture,” said Lieutenant General David Iverson, Commander of Seventh Air Force. “Each time our crews plan, execute, and debrief together, we reinforce our tactics, techniques, and procedures to defend the Alliance against any threat, particularly the one posed by North Korea.”
The B-1Bs, from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, are currently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the “Bomber Task Force 25-1” mission. Upon entering South Korean airspace, they were escorted by ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagles (11th Fighter Wing, Daegu Air Base).
The B-1B Lancer is a heavy multi-role bomber designed to carry out long-range strikes by its capacity to carry a significant payload of bombs, whether they are guided or unguided conventional weapons. A key component of America’s strategic deterrent force, it was conceived to respond rapidly anywhere in the world at any time. The aircraft is distinguished by a variable-sweep wing configuration, designed to optimize takeoff and landing, high-altitude flight, and aerial refueling, while also enabling high performance at subsonic and supersonic speeds. Its blended wing/body fuselage and afterburning engines give it exceptional maneuverability, extended range, and high speed, enhancing its ability to penetrate hostile airspace and survive against enemy defenses.
Its synthetic aperture radar allows the crew to track and target moving vehicles, manage terrain-following modes, and conduct autonomous targeting onboard. This system is complemented by a GPS coupled with a high-precision inertial navigation system, enabling the B-1B to navigate and strike targets without relying on external ground-based aids. The integration of Link-16 data link improves tactical situational awareness by transmitting and receiving real-time information, making it a key asset for rapidly responsive precision strikes. Moreover, its electronic protection measures—such as jamming systems, the ALQ-161 radar warning receiver, chaff and flare dispensers, and the ALE-50 towed decoy—offer it enhanced protection against numerous threats, facilitating penetration of heavily defended areas.
Its intercontinental range, service ceiling of about 30,000 feet (9,144 meters), and speed of up to Mach 1.2 at sea level, combined with its exceptional capacity to carry bombs and missiles (including precision-guided munitions like JDAM or the AGM-158A), make it a versatile aircraft particularly suited to conducting joint missions and long-range attacks. Ongoing upgrades have modernized its cockpit, improved radar reliability, and introduced new communications capabilities, ensuring the B-1B remains relevant in modern battlefields.
In light of North Korea’s ballistic missile activities and programs, this training demonstrates the strength of U.S.-South Korean cooperation and their commitment to maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula. By conducting such exercises, allied forces send a clear message of deterrence, underscoring their determination to respond to provocation and defend the region against any aggression.