The recent deployment of F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighters by the United States to the Republic of Korea (ROK) has fuelled apprehension in the Western Pacific region, said a commentary by China Daily.

Ten of the fighters landed at a US base in the Korean Peninsula last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The specialized team will spend up to four months there so its members can familiarize themselves with the topography of the peninsula, the Japan Islands and the nearby seas.

Considering the US Air Force has less than 60 Nighthawks, the number of stealth fighters in the ROK is considerable.

It is the largest deployment of stealth fighters since the Iraq War last year, 49th Fighter Wing Commander Brigadier General Kurt Cichowski told reporters.

More than 300 support personnel are also involved in the deployment.

However, before the planes and people left US soil, Cichowski failed to specify the destination and mission, only saying that the F-117 fighters would go to the Western Pacific region to support the war on terror.

Likewise, Tom Fuller, the media relations chief, was also keeping tight lipped.

"No specific destination or mission has been released to the public because of operational security," he said.

When asked about the length of the deployment, he said nothing was concrete.

Additionally, Fuller said the deployment was an attempt at preparedness in the war on terror via "force posture adjustment."

He said it was important to understand that the deployment was not in response to any specific situation in the region.

However, on Wednesday, the ROK's Defence Department provided some details that the US had attempted to keep secret.

According to a senior department official, the stealth fighters will stay there for three to four months.

The pilots and personnel will be trained to become accustomed to the strategic plans for the Korean Peninsula as set out by the Korea-US Combined Forces Command.

The F-117 fighters are no strangers to the peninsula. Since their first appearance in 1993, the Nighthawks have returned several times.

Moreover, on March 14 last year, they participated in a joint exercise between the ROK and the United States.

However, it is the first time that such a large number of the fighters have been deployed to the Korean Peninsula for such a long time.

Attracting great attention from Asian countries and military observers, the move is hard pressed to be considered a routine reposition - especially when taking into account the current complicated security situation.

The Nighthawks, which are often the first pieces of military hardware called up because of their outstanding ability to evade radars and accuracy, are considered the United States' secret weapons.

The United States has reportedly made an US$11 billion strategic plan to better the battle effectiveness of its force stationed in the ROK in order to maintain a credible deterrent posture and presence in the Western Pacific region.

The deployment of the F-117s is a move in that direction.

Furthermore, it also indicates a US ability to intervene in the affairs of the Korean Peninsula.

The direct flight of the Nighthawks from the US to the ROK is also intended to show the United States' ability to utilize the F-117s as a swift reactionary power in the event of threats in the region.

The message delivered by these Nighthawks cannot be interpreted as a sign of peace and friendship.