Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

FA-50, our first fighter plane, force-integrated last October, took part in Soaring Eagle training, the biggest whole range of air combat training, for the first time, showing off its perfect mission capability.

This two-week training from February 2 to 13 was held at the 29th tactical development training air group, the subordinate force of air force operations command, and the aim is to not only block massive enemy aircraft that penetrates our airspace but also destroy the enemy’s main fighting force and goals on a large scale of attacking formation groups. It has been eight years since it started in 2008.

10 units, 43 aircraft and 320 troops participate in total

“Massive unidentified trail appeared in the West Sea, keeps approaching. … Roll out immediately.”

When an urgent communication that an unidentified trail that looked like an enemy plane (Red Air) was approaching the capital area arrived at 29th group situation room, our forces such as F-15K, KF-16, F-4E, F-5E/F, etc., soared into the air all together making a loud roaring sound. They engaged the enemy soon after reaching an altitude where the enemy appeared.

On a large screen installed at Air Force Master Control and Reporting Center(MCRC) and the 29th group situation room, the air battle situation was displayed in real time with red forces(enemy troop) and blue forces(our troop). All the pilots who participated in the training, provided by the “simulation system of arming assessment”, were able to obtain the training to apply pinpoint strikes to remote major military facilities and enemy aircraft without actual armament. In addition, using the “aerial combat maneuvering training system”, they can do demos of aerial maneuvering situations on both sides and communication in 3-D, so they are able to analyze their training process systematically.

Including the 29th group, there were 43 aircraft of nine different kinds such as fighter, combat aircraft, helicopter, etc., from 10 units, and around 320 troops including 80 pilots attended. It was the largest scale ever.

According to the scenario, air-to-air training, focusing on defensive counterair against the massive virtual enemy aircraft, was delivered in the daytime during the first week, and attacking formation training in the day and night during the second week.

The four FA-50 fighting forces that took part in the Soaring Eagle training for the first time were not deployed at Cheongju base directly, yet joined the training assigned airspace after taking off from the 8th Fighter Wing(FW), the main base.

Lieutenant Kim Ji-Su, a FA-50 pilot, said, “As a pilot of the FA-50 participating in this actual, large scale of comprehensive training, I will polish my tactics and techniques to use my best force to punish the enemy who tries to provoke us.”

In addition, under a single control of aviation control aircraft, E-737 Peace Eye, the training examines detecting and controlling ability against the enemy that penetrates at various elevations.  

It particularly reflects training conditions the other countries’ air forces conduct to increase the training effect based on the experience of pilots who participated in overseas training like Red Flag Alaska training. 

Aviation control aircraft, E-737 Peace Eye, demonstrates trail detection and control ability

Furthermore, consisting of combined task organization with F-16PBU and KF-16, it checks out all-weather mission capability using a newly introduced weapon system and improved accurate striking ability in an actual warfare situation. Through this, it maximizes mission capability of network centric warfare, the main concept of modern warfare.

“This training is focusing on preparing for enemy aircraft that penetrates at low and middle altitudes. Pilots will obtain mission capability to counter any provocation by improving readiness posture during peace and war times and raising survivability in various warfare situations,” said Colonel Lee Bum-Chul. 

　

Soaring Eagle Training

The training is annually held by Air Force Operations Command. It is a large, whole range of comprehensive combat training which assumes an actual battlefield and exposes pilots to a variety of situations. It has been held twice a year since its start in 2008, and this is 8th time. The training is held at the 29th tactical development training air group, and the training area is training airspace, an expanded area from the East and West sea. It is for the Korea Air Force only to improve the pilots’ operational capability. 

By Seung-Bok, Lee <yhs920@dema.mil.kr>

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