A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II with the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, takes-off from Cheongju Air Base, Republic of Korea, on March 12, 2025. As part of Freedom Shield 25, an annual combined ROK-U.S. military exercise, both nations’ armed forces are working side by side to integrate fifth-generation fighter aircraft into their defense operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)