Ex-Special Force soldier becomes top 'heligun'
Warrant Officer Chung Sang-geun. / Yonhap
By Kim Hyo-jin
The Army has selected a former Special Forces soldier as the top helicopter gunner of the year.
Warrant Officer Chung Sang-geun, 48, was awarded as the “Top Heligun” by the Army’s Aviation Operations Command, Tuesday.
Heligun is a combination of the words, helicopter and gunner. It is an equivalent of the top gun from the Air Force. The Army has awarded soldiers showing the best aerial shooting ability since 1999.
“I was able to receive the award thanks to the interest and support of instructors and fellow soldiers,” Chung said. “I will strive to be an army pilot who excels in the capability of deterring provocations by our enemies at all costs.”
Chung is serving as a pilot flying AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters in the 109th aerial brigade.
Chung started his military career as a soldier in the Special Forces. He hoped to become a pilot, but had to put the dream aside to support his family. He gave up studying when he was at university ― the requirement for being a pilot ― so his younger sister could have the chance.
Instead he enlisted with the special warfare command. After four years of training, Chung, still holding on to that passion of flying, changed his specialty to become an aviation pilot.
“I was able to achieve my long-time dream by joining the military while my sister nurtured her career as a semiconductor researcher after graduation. My choice turned out to be a wise decision,” he said.
The Army has held the aviation shooting competition since 1989 and has awarded the best gunner as “Top Heligun” annually since 1999.