Osan on Display: Air Power Day 2025

In May 2025, Osan Air Base in South Korea once again opened its gates to the public for the much-anticipated Osan Air Power Days, an aviation spectacle that brought together military power, cultural exchange, and international partnership. Taking place on May 10 and 11, the event marked the return of the air show after a six-year pause. Similar to previous year, the air show had to struggle with the weather, as Saturday was cold, wet and a complete washout without any aircraft flying. Featuring a wide array of aerial demonstrations, static displays, and performances from both the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), this year’s edition emphasized the strength and unity of the U.S.–ROK alliance under the theme “Respect the Past, Forge the Future.”

The main reason for aviation enthusiasts to travel to Osan was the announced withdrawal of the A-10C Thunderbolt II from the Korean Peninsula until the end of 2025, and this Open Day therefore provided the final opportunity to see Warthogs wearing the OS tail code.

The Heart of the Show: Osan’s Resident Aircraft

Osan Air Base, located roughly 40 miles south of Seoul, is home to the 51st Fighter Wing, which plays a vital role in maintaining regional security and supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s mission. During the air show, the base highlighted its own capabilities by featuring a selection of aircraft that are permanently stationed at Osan.

Among the most prominent were the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 36th Fighter Squadron. These multirole fighters are the backbone of the wing’s air-to-air and air-to-ground operations and were demonstrated in static displays as well as live flight maneuvers. Their agility and versatility made them a crowd favorite during high-speed flybys and formation flights.

The A-10C Thunderbolt II, operated by the 25th Fighter Squadron, was also on full display. Known affectionately as the “Warthog,” the A-10 is revered for its role in close air support (CAS) missions. With its signature GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon and heavy armor, the A-10 demonstrated both its firepower and precision targeting capabilities in a simulated ground attack demonstration. This included a weapons loading simulation, where ground crews displayed how quickly the aircraft could be rearmed for another mission. This unique glimpse into ground operations complemented the air-based displays and emphasized the importance of support personnel in maintaining combat readiness.

Another unique presence from Osan was the U-2S Dragon Lady, flown by the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing. This high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft is one of the few of its kind still in operation and performs strategic intelligence-gathering missions across the Pacific region. While the U-2 did not participate in flight demos, its presence on the static ramp drew interest due to its rarity and unique mission profile.

Visiting Aircraft: Strength in Numbers from PACAF and ROKAF

One of the major draws of Osan Air Power Days is the opportunity to see aircraft not normally based in Korea. Several aircraft from Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and ROKAF units participated, either as static displays or in flight demonstrations.

From PACAF, the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, performed a thrilling aerobatic routine using an Osan-based F-16 Fighting Falcon. Their high-speed passes, vertical climbs, and sharp turns displayed the extreme performance envelope of the F-16 platform. The demo was not just a display of aircraft capabilities—it was also a powerful statement of the readiness and interoperability of U.S. forces in the region.

The same can be said for the famous U-2S Dragon Lady spy plane, which was in the beginning announced to participate in the flying display. On the week-end itself however, only one jet could seen fenced off in the static display.

From the Republic of Korea Air Force, several aircraft participated, reflecting the service’s modernization efforts and diverse capabilities. The Black Eagles, ROKAF’s elite aerobatic team flying T-50B Golden Eagles, captivated the audience with precision formation flying and dynamic aerobatic routines. Their black, white, and gold smoke trails created mesmerizing visuals in the clear spring skies above Osan.

In addition to the Black Eagles, the ROKAF brought a variety of frontline and support aircraft, including the FA-50 Golden Eagle, a light combat version of the T-50, and the KA-1 Woongbi, used for light attack and forward air control. Heavier hitters such as the KF-16 Fighting Falcon, KF-15K Slam Eagle, and the stealthy F-35A Lightning II also made appearances either on static display or in formation flyovers. The C-130 Hercules, used for tactical airlift missions, highlighted the logistical backbone of the air force.

Air Show Highlights and Flight Demonstrations

The flying displays were the centerpiece of the two-day event, with a schedule packed full of thrilling demonstrations. As already stated in the introduction to this report, the flying display on Saturday had to be completely cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Crowd favorites included the USMC F-35B Lightning II, which performed a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) demonstration, showcasing the advanced capabilities of fifth-generation stealth fighters. The PACAF F-16 Viper demo followed, pushing the aircraft to its physical limits with tight turns, high-G maneuvers, and rapid acceleration.

The main highlight for the enthusiasts was of course the A-10C Thunderbolt II. Two jets performed a flying display on Sunday afternoon, but it was rather disappointing as it was flown very high and the two jets just flew some circles over the airfield before coming in to land. One got the impressions that crews got to fly their aircraft, but did not really want to show them off in front of the public. This indeed left a bitter taste, considering the fact that this was their final public appearance in Osan.

Cultural Programs and Community Engagement

Beyond the jets and roar of afterburners, Osan Air Power Days served as a platform for fostering cultural understanding and goodwill between the U.S. and South Korean communities. Musical performances by the K-Pop band Clover entertained the crowd after the end of the flying display. This was a nice balance to the high-tech focus of the air show.

Food vendors, children’s activities, and educational booths rounded out the event, making it suitable for families and aviation enthusiasts alike. For many Korean civilians, it was also a rare opportunity to step inside a U.S. military installation and see firsthand the daily operations and missions conducted by allied forces.

The 2025 edition of Air Power Days also signaled a renewed public diplomacy effort by the U.S. Air Force in Korea, aiming to build trust with the local population and demonstrate transparency in operations. It was a very welcome return after a six year long pause, in the same way as the last rays of sun on Sunday evening provided some long sought photo opportunities, even though it must also be mentioned that seeing the U-2S Dragon Lady only on ground and a rather disappointing (farewell) flying display of two A-10C Thunderbolt II in South Korea left most airplane enthusiasts disappointed.

Osan Air Power Day 2025 – Photo Gallery