South Korea receives F-15Ks

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DAEGU, South Korea, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The South Korean air force has received three more F-15K Slam Eagles from Boeing, bringing its fleet of the aircraft to 13.

Boeing said the planes were flown to South Korea's Daegu Air Base from the company's St. Louis facility.

"We are pleased to receive the latest three F-15K Slam Eagles, F-15K 51, 52 and 53, from Boeing," said Lt. Col. Kim Tae-uk, commander of the 110th Squadron, 11th Fighter Wing, of the South Korean air force.

"The F-15K is one of our most important assets in defense of the peninsula. We are satisfied with the continued on-schedule, quality deliveries of our F-15K Slam Eagles from Boeing."

Boeing delivered the first six of 21 F-15Ks it is producing under the Next Fighter II contract in 2010, followed by two in April and two more in May. The remaining eight aircraft will be delivered through April of next year.

"Boeing has a demonstrated record of on-time, on-cost deliveries to the (South Korean air force)," said Roger Besancenez, Boeing F-15 Program vice president. "We're proud of that record, and equally proud of Boeing's relationship with Korean industry, which includes major work sharing and partnerships on both commercial and defense products.

"Our long-term cooperative relationship enables Boeing and Korean industry to ensure the (South Korean air force) continues to fly a superior multi-role aircraft in defense of Korea."

Six of the new F-15K Slam Eagles are to participate in an advanced aerial combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in late January.