South Korea said Thursday it is conducting an unprecedented joint air force drill with the United States on special wartime infiltration operations as part of efforts to boost the combined defense posture following North Korea's recent long-range missile test.

"The joint combat control team exercise is being conducted from Feb. 3-18 in areas near Pocheon and Osan, Gyeonggi Province," South Korea's Air Force said in a statement.

CCT represents special air forces that are ordered to infiltrate the enemy side to gather key information for air navigation and logistics operations.

It is the first of its kind between the two countries' air forces.

The exercise mainly involves training needed to secretly land on enemy soil and guide deployed aircraft, troops and military supplies through safe routes, according to the Air Force.

South Korean forces were also given a session to observe U.S. forces' close air support and other tactical operations they provide to ground and maritime forces.

The allies will conduct another round of the CCT drill in August as they plan to hold the combined exercise on a regular basis, according to the Air Force.

North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Sunday in what the outside world believes was a test of the country's long-range missile technology.

A month earlier, the North carried out its fourth nuclear test, escalating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the region. (Yonhap)