Osan and Kunsan Air Bases Join Forces To Create “Super Squadron” With 31 F-16s | Aviation

The 36th Fighter Squadron will be part of a year-long test to optimize combat capability and training effectiveness with a larger number of F-16 aircraft assigned to the “Super Squadron”.

The U.S. Seventh Air Force, which oversees air operations in Korea and in the Northwest Pacific, is relocating some of its F-16s based in the Korean Peninsula for a test intended to optimize combat capability and increase readiness in support of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the larger Indo-Pacific region. Osan Air Base, which is also home of the Seventh Air Force’s headquarters, was selected for the test.

The 36th Fighter Squadron will gain nine F-16s, bringing the total of its assigned aircraft from 22 to 31, and creating a “Super Squadron” which will participate in a year-long test to evaluate its impact on sortie generation, maintenance, manpower, and logistic requirements, with the ultimate goal of maximizing combat effectiveness. The F-16s were drafted from the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons at Kunsan Air Base.

The Vipers (as the F-16s are nicknamed by their crews) are being transferred with 150 aircrew and combat support personnel accompanying. The press release mentions the remaining F-16s at Kunsan will continue to…