Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Air Force captain, warrant officer named 'Golden Eye'
Air Force Capt. Park Joon-yong, left, poses after receiving the most outstanding air defense weapon controller award, Dec. 2. Courtesy of ROK Air Force
By Kang Seung-woo
By Kang Seung-woo
Air Force Capt. Park Joon-yong and Warrant Officer Lee Hyo-bok have been selected as the force's most outstanding air defense weapon controllers.
The Air Force held an award ceremony for the Air Combat Intercept Control Competition, Dec. 2, where Park and Lee triumphed in ground and air control and control systems, respectively. Lee serves at the 51st Air Control Flying Group at the Air Mobility and Reconnaissance Command, while Park belongs to the 7328th Unit of the Air Defense Control Command
An air defense weapon director's mission is to help fighters quickly and accurately respond to enemy aircraft intruding into the country's air defense identification zone or sovereign airspace.
The Air Force has held the contest since 1980, with the winners receiving the “Golden Eye” award from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Starting May, 80 air defense weapon controllers participated in the competition that carried out academic and practice assessments.
“I give the credit to my colleagues who helped me prepare for the competition after hours,” said Park, who was commissioned in 2019.
“Based on knowledge and knowhow earned from the competition, I will try my best to fulfill my duty.”
Lee said, “I want to thank my wife for helping my commitment to preparing for the competition, by sacrificing her own time and energy. I will do my best to complete the airspace defense mission in order to not damage the reputation of Golden Eye.”
Air Force Warrant Officer Lee Hyo-bok, left, poses after receiving the most outstanding air defense weapon controller award, Dec. 2. Courtesy of ROK Air Force