SEOUL, June 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and the U.S. will conduct a joint search-rescue exercise, South Korean Air Force said Monday.

    Joined by South Korea Air Force units and the U.S. Forces Korea, the exercise aims at preparing South Korea to take the leading role in actual missions in the future, the Air Force said.

    To be held at the end of this year, the exercise will be a part of an ongoing progran=m to transfer the wartime operational control to South Korean troops bak to Seoul from Washington, the Air Force said.