U.S. stealth jets to perform exercise in S.K.

Move routine, not related to any threat: U.S. Air Force

The U.S. is expected to deploy a squadron of its F-117A Stealth fighters into South Korea in a routine deterrence exercise.

On January 8, a spokesman at the U.S. Air Force Base in New Mexico, where the radar-evading Stealth fighters are based, told the Air Force Times that the fighters will be deployed to South Korea sometime during the next four months.

The spokesman said the deployment is not related to any particular military threat, but rather aimed at sustaining military deterrence in the West Pacific region.

The U.S. Forces headquarters in South Korea said, "Every year, about 15 to 24 F-117A fighters are routinely deployed into South Korea." The U.S. Forces will make an official announcement if the squadron arrives here, it added.

The deployment is seen related to war games between South Korea and the U.S., including the RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration) drill.

Since 2003, F-117A fighters have been deployed into South Korea three times.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Kyodo News reported that the U.S. Air Force will deploy 12 Stealth F-22 fighters into Japan from early next month. The fighters will be located at a Japanese base for five months, Kyodo said.

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