An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 35th Fighter Squadron takes off during a flying surge at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2026. (Tallon Bratton/U.S. Air Force)

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — F-16 “super squadrons” stationed 50 miles from North Korea completed a five-day surge of high-tempo flight operations last week, testing their ability to rapidly generate combat airpower in a potential crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

The surge, which ended Friday, increased flight operations by more than 50% above routine levels, deliberately stressing Osan’s sortie-generation system under controlled conditions, according to a Tuesday news release from the 51st Fighter Wing.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 35th Fighter Squadron lands during a flying surge at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2026. (Tallon Bratton/U.S. Air Force)

“Surges are a scheduled effort to maximize sortie production and identify limiting factors in our processes,” Lt. Col. Andrew Radloff, deputy commander of the 51st Maintenance Group, said in the release.

The exercise involved F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons, which repeatedly launched, recovered and regenerated aircraft.

The two “super squadrons” at Osan were formed under a 7th Air Force initiative that began in July 2024 with nine aircraft and 150 airmen. Thirty-one more F-16s arrived from Kunsan Air Base last summer.

The wing, citing operational security, declined to specify how many Fighting Falcons were active in the surge, according to an email Tuesday from wing spokesman Maj. Kippun Sumner.

A member of the 51st Maintenance Group performs postflight checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a flying surge at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2026. (Tallon Bratton/U.S. Air Force)

The super squadron concept is being tested over a year to determine whether larger, consolidated units can generate more combat power and operate more efficiently, according to previous Air Force statements.

During the surge, maintainers extended flying windows and maximized access to aircraft to sustain the higher operational tempo, the wing said.

“They allow us to test our systems, strengthen coordination across the wing and uncover challenges that may not appear during routine operations,” Radloff said.

Members of the 51st Maintenance Group perform postflight checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a flying surge at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2026. (Tallon Bratton/U.S. Air Force)

The Air Force uses surge exercises to prepare units for wartime demands by stressing supply, maintenance and aircrew availability simultaneously, according to the release.

“Surge operations are an intentional component of our training and readiness cycle,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Morrin, deputy commander of the 51st Operations Group.