Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea commander prepares for his first ROK F-15K flight March 26 at Daegu AB, Republic of Korea. The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephenie Wade)

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Lt Gen Oh, Change Hwan, Air Force Operations Command commander at Osan AB, prepares for a U.S. F-16 flight March 26 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. (The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea commander prepares for his first ROK F-15K flight March 26 at Daegu AB, Republic of Korea. The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephenie Wade)

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Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea commander prepares for his first ROK F-15K flight March 26 at Daegu AB, Republic of Korea. The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephenie Wade)

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Lt Gen Oh, Change Hwan, Air Force Operations Command commander at Osan AB, prepares for a U.S. F-16 flight March 26 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Lt Gen Oh, Change Hwan, Air Force Operations Command commander at Osan AB, prepares for a U.S. F-16 flight March 26 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. The incentive flight was an opportunity to build a better understanding about the fighter wings operations and to set the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

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Air Commanders take Back-Seat Rides, put ROK-US Alliance Out Front

Published March 29, 2009
By Lt Col. René White
7th Air Force Public Affairs

DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington, commander Seventh Air Force, Air Forces Korea was given a back-seat ride onboard the Republic of Korea (ROK) "next-generation fighter" F-15K at Daegu Air Base today.

"After my F-15K flight, my counterpart Lt. Gen. Oh, flew onboard our F-16 at Osan Air Base," said General Remington. "This opportunity helps us both build a better understanding about our fighter wing operations and sets the stage for an even stronger alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States."

The ROK 11th Fighter Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Park, Jae Bok hosted the ROK F-15K flight at Daegu AB for General Remington, while the 51st Fighter Wing Commander Col. Thomas H. Deale hosted the USAF F-16 flight at Osan AB.

"Opportunities like this continue to remind me how ROK-US airmen have a decisive edge in skill, technology and operational capability," said General Oh, Chang Hwan Air Force Operations Command commander at Osan Air Base. "Words cannot express the gratitude and respect we have for our U.S. Air Force partners supporting the ROK-US Alliance," he added.

Even though both flights took place at different locations, USAF and ROKAF pre-flight procedures were very similar, including Korean/English translations and simulator and cockpit familiarization. Before the generals' flights, ROK-US crews provided flight-support gear fittings, flight briefings, preflight checks then take off. General Remington's orientation flight included simulated air-to-air and air-to-surface attacks. General Oh's night orientation flight simulated a Close Air Support (CAS) mission using night vision goggles (NVG).

The pilot for the F-15K was ROKAF Maj. Yoon, Chang Bae and pilot for the F-16 was USAF Capt. Brant Reilly, 51st Fighter Wing's 36st Fighter Squadron.