OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — The Pentagon once again will deploy stealth fighter-bombers to South Korea for what the Air Force calls part of ongoing steps to present a credible “deterrent posture” in the region.

About 15 F-117A Nighthawks and 250 airmen from the 49th Fighter Wing are to deploy from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and stay in South Korea for four months or “as long as needed to meet continuing force posture adjustments,” the wing stated in a news release.

Army Col. MaryAnne Cummings, U.S. Forces Korea spokeswoman, wouldn’t say Friday when the Nighthawks will arrive or where in South Korea they’ll be based, citing security reasons.

In summer 2004, the 49th Fighter Wing deployed a Nighthawk squadron to Kunsan Air Base for several months. In 2003, Nighthawks took part in a major annual military exercise in South Korea, then stayed on the peninsula for what USFK said was “additional training.”

“It is very routine,” Cummings said of the deployment. “It’s something that has happened in the past and more than likely will continue in the future.

“It is very important for anyone who comes to Korea to be able to familiarize themselves with the terrain, familiarize themselves with the procedures on the Korean peninsula,” she said. “And it is another opportunity for Air Force units to come and train here in Korea.”

The F-117A is a single-seat attack plane used extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Its advanced design features make it difficult for radar to detect. It can penetrate deep into enemy air space, the Air Force said, and place satellite and laser-guided munitions onto time-sensitive, high-value targets.