Home : What We Do : Exercises : Freedom Shield
Freedom Shield

An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.

Videos
Video by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
F-100 restoration is tribute to ANG legacy
185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
May 26, 2022 | 2:36
Video

B-roll video shows a U.S. Air Force F-100 Super Sabre that was on static display in Sioux City, Iowa after it was repaired and repainted. The static display project was completed just as the U.S. Air Force marks its 75th Anniversary this year.

With its signature oval nose, curved fuselage and flat bottom the 1950’s era aircraft resembles a Formula 1 race car of the same time period.

Air National Guard units like the 174th Fighter Squadron of the Iowa Air Guard were first allocated aircraft, pilots and maintainers in 1946 following the 2nd World War. Fixed-wing flying units were not part of the newly formed Air National Guard however until September of 1947 when the Air Force officially became a separate service.

What is today the Iowa Air Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing was equipped with variations of F-80 jet fighters during the 1950s but when the unit receive the F-100 in 1961 they had officially made the leap into the supersonic jet age.

The 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron was one of only four Air National Guard Fighter units who deployed with the F-100 for a yearlong deployment to Vietnam. Air National Guard F-100 units achieved the status being among most effective close air support units in theater.

In the 1970s Air Guard maintainers retrofitted the F-100 with afterburners from retired F-102 aircraft. The improvement solved long standing issues with engine performance while solidifying the unique contributions of the Air National Guard.

After a 16 year run the F-100 held the honor of being the longest piloted airframe in the Iowa Guard unit until a few years ago. In November of 2023 the unit will mark its 20th year flying the KC-135 Statotanker.

The old jet with the iconic Sioux City “HA” on its tail will continue to serve as a tribute to Air Guard members past and present serving as a reminder of the shared heritage and contributions of those who flew and fixed the “HUN” for years to come.
More
Slide show
Press Information

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes

Press Release
Mar. 20, 2025

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes
Read More
A combined assault force of U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations personnel conduct a direct action raid on a time sensitive target in an underground facility during a multiday training event associated with exercise Freedom Shield 25 at a training site located east of Seoul, on March 17, 2025. The training event served as a capstone to two-weeks of various training that maintained the combined readiness and lethality of U.S. and ROK special operators. The routine training enables a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region through a strong deterrent force. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Zacherl)

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct r...

News
Mar. 19, 2025

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct routine combined training during exercise Freedom Shield 2025
Read More
Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, and the Acting President of the Republic of Korea, Sang-Mok Choi, take a group photo at Command Post Theater Air Naval Ground Operations, March 18. The acting-ROK President’s visit focused on discussing the importance and progress of Freedom Shield 2025 and the future of joint ROK-U.S. operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo, USFK Public Affairs)

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TAN...

News
Mar. 18, 2025

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TANGO During FS 25
Read More
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, U.S. Air Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force train during Exercise Freedom Shield 25, a defense-oriented, annual exercise featuring live, virtual and field-based training that engages alliance forces and governmental agencies.

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Na...

News
Mar. 15, 2025

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Navy Conduct F-35 Air Integration Training during Freedom Shield...
Read More
F-35 Lightning IIs from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Republic of Korea Air Force flight in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during integration training for Freedom Shield 25, March 13, 2025.

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25

News
Mar. 14, 2025

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25
Read More
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, March 12, 2025. The full-scale rehearsal of Republic of Korea Air Force and Seventh Air Force capabilities at the tactical and operational levels guarantees the strength of the combined air component to defend and defeat any threat to the Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 13, 2025

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25
Read More

Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 12, 2025

Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25
Read More

Seventh Air Force begins air component operation...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Seventh Air Force begins air component operations in Freedom Shield 25
Read More
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert "Todd" Brown, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division, deputy commanding general, learns the control interface of a commercial aquatic drone during Freedom Shield 25 at a training area near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 11, 2025. The demonstration showcases the capabilities of cutting-edge underwater vehicles to enhance operational readiness. Freedom Shield 2025 is a multi-domain military training program that integrates ground, air, naval, space and cyberspace elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat situations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner)

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater...

News
Mar. 11, 2025

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater drone for Freedom Shield 25
Read More
ROK Soldiers assigned to the 5th Corps Engineering Brigade River Crossing Company and Soldiers assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ROK/U.S. Combined Division, complete construction on a joint bridge, during a combined wet gap crossing exercise, near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024. ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U)

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shiel...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shield 2025
Read More

The Republic of Korea and United States announce...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

The Republic of Korea and United States announce Freedom Shield 25 exercise
Read More

COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference ...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference for Exercise Freedom Shield 25
Read More