Build up on the earlier Tremendous Squadron check, the Seventh Air Pressure launched a second part and added one other squadron with 31 F-16s at Osan.
The F-16s of the U.S. Air Pressure’s thirty fifth Fighter Squadron “Pantons,” assigned to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, arrived at Osan Air Base on Nov. 19 and 21, 2025, to launch the second part of the Tremendous Squadron check. In actual fact, increase on the same effort launched final yr, the Seventh Air Pressure prolonged the experiment for a second part and added one other squadron with 31 F-16s at Osan.
“This motion is about strengthening the best way we battle,” stated U.S. Air Pressure Lt. Col. Joseph Basala, thirty fifth Fighter Squadron commander. “By working from Osan, our crew positive aspects new alternatives to combine with companions, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and sharpen the abilities we have to reply the decision at a second’s discover. This effort immediately improves our readiness and reinforces our dedication to the protection of the peninsula.”
The plane, together with personnel from Kunsan Air Base, are briefly re-assigned to Osan in help of the initiative. The purpose is to check new methods to prepare, deploy, and maintain fighter plane throughout the Indo-Pacific theater, rising fight energy whereas sustaining readiness throughout the Republic of Korea.
Tremendous Squadron Part II
Through the Tremendous Squadron Part II experimentation, the thirty fifth FS will conduct coaching and combine with Osan’s 51st Fighter Wing. It will help the continuing testing interval of manpower, upkeep, and operations ideas that allow fighter squadrons to generate extra fight energy with out completely relocating forces, explains the service.
“The Tremendous Squadron check provides us a real-world alternative to discover how we will battle extra effectively with higher flexibility and resilience,” stated U.S. Air Pressure Col. Ryan Ley, 51st Fighter Wing commander. “Internet hosting the Pantons strengthens our mixed readiness and enhances the airpower accessible to defend the Republic of Korea. This effort advantages the whole peninsula and reinforces the power of our alliance.”
The Air Pressure beforehand stated 31 extra F-16s and roughly 1,000 Airmen would switch to Osan AB from Kunsan AB to determine the second squadron. The motion was of a special magnitude in comparison with the primary part, which solely included the motion of 9 F-16s and 150 Airmen, including new challenges that can present extra information to the service.
This was additionally talked about by the Seventh Air Pressure’s press launch earlier this yr, which stated the primary check was launched to guage if the tremendous squadron idea would maximize fight effectiveness when contemplating sortie technology, upkeep, manpower, and logistics necessities, and now the second part will proceed to evaluate these areas at a bigger scale, because the elevated numbers of plane and Airmen absolutely check limitations.
The choice to proceed with a second part arrived whereas nonetheless about midway by the primary one, began in October 2024, and was based mostly on the info collected to date that has been analyzed. The Seventh Air Pressure was thus granted the approval to proceed the experiment for one more yr, additional increasing its scope.
“The previous months of information reveal that we’re heading in the right direction and the consolidated, bigger unit has proven some will increase in readiness and fight functionality, whereas additionally exposing some challenges,” stated Lt. Gen. David Iverson, Seventh Air Pressure commander. “With this success we’re now increasing the scope, by consolidating the F-16s in Seventh Air Pressure at Osan, to additional decide if the tremendous squadron assemble is the precise path for future airpower technology right here in Korea.”
Clearly, with the second part, Kunsan will see most of its Vipers depart the bottom, with solely a handful remaining there. Nevertheless, the service says the eighth FW will proceed to function as a main train and rotational pressure bed-down location for U.S. air part forces in ROK.
This manner, the unit will preserve lively flightline operations and amenities, along with sustaining battle reserve materials and munitions at a number of areas throughout South Korea. This mission is a vital a part of Seventh Air Pressure’s job of offering credible fight airpower within the protection of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, says the service.
Tremendous Squadron Part I
In August 2024, the Seventh Air Pressure introduced the launch of the Tremendous Squadron check, which began in October and was initially set to final a whole yr. The thirty sixth Fighter Squadron gained 9 F-16s, drafted from the thirty fifth and eightieth Fighter Squadrons at Kunsan Air Base, bringing the whole of its assigned plane from 22 to 31.
The Vipers (because the F-16s are nicknamed by their crews) had been transferred with 150 aircrew and fight help personnel accompanying. Whereas at Osan, the extra plane took half in a number of workout routines with the thirty sixth FS.
“Osan was chosen as finest in a position to help the housing and help wants of the Airmen required to execute the Tremendous Squadron check, having just lately supported related personnel necessities throughout Kunsan’s runway development mission in 2023,” stated Lt. Col. Karl Wiest, a spokesperson for Gen. Allvin. Osan can also be dwelling of the Seventh Air Pressure’s headquarters.
