U.S. and South Korea Conduct Joint Exercises

Reddit / u/Quietation

In Formation

North Korea just launched the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile without prior notice on February 18, 2023. In response, the US deployed its long-range supersonic bombers for a joint exercise with South Korean warplanes.

Both countries performed their aerial drills over the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan on February 19. 

Included in these exercises were American B-1B bombers, F-35 Lightnings, and F-22 Raptors. In addition, both countries also held a tabletop exercise to train their joint response to the potential use of nuclear weapons by North Korea.

The Hwasong-15 is one of North Korea’s three ICBMs, all of which use liquid propellants. However, North Korea is still pushing to build its own solid-fueled ICBM, making it more mobile and harder to detect before launch.