Hercules Guardians 24 strengthens US-ROK alliance through tactical airlift interoperability

Published Sept. 24, 2024
By Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

GIMHAE AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The phrase ‘We Go Together!’ is a chant that can be often heard during gatherings of U.S. and Republic of Korea military forces and symbolizes the ironclad bonds formed since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953.

A U.S. Air Force Airman and ROK Air Force Airman inspecting cargo — U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carson Christian, 374th Operations Support Squadron joint airdrop inspector, inspects heavy equipment for an airdrop during Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 10, 2024, at Gimhae Air Base, Republic of Korea. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. HG24 allowed members throughout the 374th OSS, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 36th Airlift Squadron to collaborate, exchange knowledge and ultimately advance interoperability across the Indo-Pacific region with their ROK Air Force partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

Exercise Hercules Guardians 24 was no exception. U.S. personnel representing the 36th Airlift Squadron out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, integrated with ROK Air Force’s 251st Tactical Airlift Squadron out of Gimhae Air Base, to further develop partnerships and increase interoperability through tactical airlift operations and ground events in the Korean Peninsula Sept. 9-14.

HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops. The exercise was reinvigorated last year after a five-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ROK airmen gathering around a U.S. Air Force Airmen to secure cargo — U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Walenski, 36th Airlift Squadron evaluator loadmaster, prepares a heavy equipment bundle for an airdrop during Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 10, 2024, at Gimhae Air Base, Republic of Korea. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. HG24 allowed members of the 374th Operations Support Squadron, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 36th Airlift Squadron to learn more about ROKAF procedures, demonstrate U.S. Air Force techniques, tactics and procedures, all while demonstrating the interoperability between joint airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

“HG24 builds not only training for our crews individually, but also interoperability between our crews and those of the ROKAF,” said Maj. Lewoczko, 36th Airlift Squadron detachment commander. “Continued bilateral interoperability is crucial in deterring or responding to any contingency. Through this exercise, our crews were introduced to a major part of our area of our responsibility.”

Each day started off with mission planning as maintenance prepared each militaries’ respective C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the day’s operations. The week included a total of nine sorties, with one day delivering two heavy equipment bundle drops, followed by the next day transporting a M119 105mm howitzer weapon system, 20 container delivery systems and five ROK Army personnel jumps.

Cargo in the foreground and military members marshalling a forklift. — U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force personnel load a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron with several container delivery system bundles for a mass airdrop operation in support of Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 12, 2024, at Gimhae Air Base, ROK. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. HG24 allowed members of the 374th Operations Support Squadron, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 36th AS to learn more about ROK Air Force procedures, demonstrate U.S. Air Force techniques, tactics and procedures, all while demonstrating the interoperability between joint airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

The U.S. provided two C-130J Super Hercules alongside ROKAF’s two C-130J, to observe and learn from each other in terms of planning, tactics, techniques and procedures.

The exercise concluded during the Korean holiday, Chuseok - a time where families gather to celebrate their ancestors by sharing food and stories. Although Chuseok is a national holiday in the ROK, the ROKAF dedicated a day-long cultural exchange with U.S. personnel. The exchange started off with a visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan to pay respects to the fallen. Afterwards, both forces gathered together to share one last local cuisine before parting ways and returning to their home stations.

ROK military service members jumping out of an aircraft — U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army Soldiers conduct a static-line jump out of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 12, 2024, near Gimhae Air Base, ROK. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. Personnel assigned to Special Operations Command Korea routinely train with other units from around the Indo-Pacific region, including U.S. and multinational partners, ensuring a continued state of readiness toward a credible and integrated deterrence force posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

“HG24 was an incredible opportunity to build relations and strengthen the US-ROK interoperability,” said Staff Sgt. William Jenkins, 36th AS instructor loadmaster. “Building bonds with ROKAF through our SME exchanges and flying training allows us to grow together and become a much more skilled and cohesive team.

“The highlight was getting to spend time with all the ROKAF members outside of uniform,” he added. “Learning about them on a personal level and sharing stories - it allows a connection that extends past our ability to operate the Herk and to the character of who we are flying alongside.”

Large cargo exiting the back of an aircraft during flight — A heavy equipment bundle exits the ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during airdrop operations in support of Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 10, 2024, near Gimhae Air Base, Republic of Korea. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

In the era of the Great Power Competition, unwavering bonds with U.S. allies and partners is a critical component to become formidable in the ever-changing, ever-evolving strategic landscape. Through relationships with the ROK, the U.S. Air Force continues to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region while remaining ready anytime, anywhere for any high-end conflict and long-term strategic competition.

A group of US and ROK Air Force members around a monument at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery — U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force personnel gather around a monument at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery during Hercules Guardians 2024, Sept. 13, 2024, at Busan, ROK. HG24 is a weeklong, bilateral exercise that incorporates a blend of U.S. and ROK forces in mission planning, subject matter exchanges, scenario-based flying training and multiple airdrops - to include heavy equipment, container delivery systems, artillery and personnel delivery. On days without flying operations, the U.S. and ROK forces gathered together to participate in cultural exchanges and activities to strengthen the bonds between the two nations. Concluding the event, both nations visited the UNMC to pay respects to the fallen prior to departure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

“Thank you to all of those with the 36th Airlift Squadron who came out here to participate in Hercules Guardians 2024,” said ROKAF Brig. Gen. Seonggyu Joo, 5th Air Mobility Wing commander. “I truly believe that for the future and the growth of the units involved, we need to continue this relationship and operations like HG24 - and expand on it. Our growth, together, is key for the fight.”

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Hercules Guardians 24 strengthens US-ROK alliance through tactical airlift interoperability