 The United States and South Korea conducted a combined air drill with at least one American B-1B long-range bomber and South Korean F-15K and KF-16 fighter aircrafts. On March 3, South Korea's Ministry of Defense said in a statement, the aim was to practice coordination as well as to demonstrate American extended deterrence against North Korean threats, the ministry said. Earlier in the day, the allies announced that they would conduct large-scale joint military drills, which would include amphibious landings, from March 13 to 23 in exercises dubbed Freedom Shield. Past drills have drawn sharp reactions from North Korea, including missile launches and nuclear threats. Pyongyang has said such joint military operations are proof that Washington and its allies are hostile.