NORTH Korea better be watching its back today as thousands of US troops and 230 warplanes descend on Kim Jong-un’s doorstep.
F-35B Lightning II warplane – Flight, Hover and Vertical Landing
Vigilant Ace – a massive joint war games – kicks off today as the US and South Korea rehearse for battle with Pyongyang.Hundreds of aircraft and thousands of soldiers and airmen are taking part in the drill, which is one of the biggest ever of its kind.
US and South Korean forces will be rehearsing for a full-scale war with North Korea.
Nuclear fears have reignited as Kim fired his latest missile last week – his biggest and most powerful yet, the Hwasong-15.
And there now fears Kim could be readying the dreaded Juche Bird, his most shocking weapons test to date.
US President Donald Trump will be looking to flex his muscles as he dispatches his most deadly fighter planes to ready for war in Vigilant Ace.
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UIG via Getty Images
The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier leads a formation of ships
“It is designed to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula”
US Military
At least 230 warplanes from both the US and the South will take part, alongside 12,000 US troops and airmen and at least 4,000 expected to represent Seoul.
The drill lasts from today until December 8 with aircraft flying over eight airbases in across the Korean Peninsula.
US commanders have downplayed the drill – claiming it is “regular” and not a direct response to North Korea.
GETTYVIGILANT ACE: US warplanes including fighters and bombers often blast over the Korean Peninsula
North Korea tests battle plans with toy planes
GETTYRAPTOR: F-22s will be dispatched to take part in Vigilant Ace
Trump’s crown jewels of the drill will be the state-of-the-art F-35 Lightning IIs and F-22 Raptors leading the US’s wing during the drill.Both fighter jets outmatch anything in North Korea’s arsenal and could win most of the war against Kim by themselves.
F-35s can fly at speeds of 1,200mph and are capable of carrying nuclear bombs and bunker busters.
Meanwhile, the F-22 can hit speeds of up to 1,500 mph and are armed with Vulcan miniguns and Sidewinder missiles.
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Since 2008, photographer Eric Lafforgue ventured to North Korea six times. Thanks to digital memory cards, he was able to save photos that was forbidden to take inside the segregated state
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Eric Lafforgue/Exclusivepix Medi
Taking pictures in the DMZ is easy, but if you come too close to the soldiers, they stop you
Other aircraft including more fighters, bombers and spy planes will also take part along with commandos from the US Marine Corps.North Korea always rages over the drills on its border – claiming they are rehearsals for invasion.
US forces have been flooding into the Pacific this year with warships, warplanes, missiles and the army all on standby.
GETTYKIM JONG-UN: North Korea’s leader is determined to obtains nuclear ICBMs to hit the US
“Vigilant Ace 18 highlights the longstanding military partnership, commitment and enduring friendship between two nations,” the US military said.The statement added: “It is designed to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirms the US commitment to stability in the Northeast Asia region.”
Vigilant Ace comes after Donald Trump warned he would “take care” of North Korea following the missile test.
GETTYNORTH KOREA: Kim Jong-un’s rogue state won’t stop until its nukes are perfected
REUTERS
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un appears ecstatic with the launch’s success
War fears have reached new heights this year as Kim refuses to give up his quest for Nuclear ICBMs.North Korea has tested dozens of missiles this year, and claimed its nukes can now hit the US.
Kim is feared to be readying the dreaded Juche Bird missile – a live nuke fired out into the heart of the Pacific.