Reports of an end to the fighter firing range dilemma in South Korea seem to have been premature. According to the Korea Times, Seoul’s plan to expand the US Air Force’s use of the Chikdo shooting range and upgrade it with a new electronic scoring system is far from a done deal, primarily because of local opposition. The situation prompted Lt. Gen. Garry Trexler, commander of 7th Air Force, headquartered at Osan AB, South Korea, to publicly state last week that Seoul had 30 days to rectify the situation or US fighters would have to move off the island. (Trexler is retiring soon.)
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
