Father, son operate Cobra choppers

By Kang Seung-woo

There is a son following in the footsteps of his father who was a Cobra attack helicopter pilot for decades.

Army Warrant Officer Oh Byeong-nam, right, and his son First Lieutenant Oh Jeong-hwan / Courtesy of Republic of Korea Army

According to the Army, Wednesday, First Lieutenant Oh Jeong-hwan from the 17th Aviation Group of the Seventh Corps started flying the chopper last week that his father, Warrant Officer Oh Byeong-nam, piloted for 33 years.

The Oh Byeong-nam began his military career in 1987 as a non-commissioned officer and after spending four years in the Special Forces, he was selected as an Army aviation officer in 1991.

He participated in a variety of military operations, including one against North Korea's submarine infiltration incident into Gangneung, Gangwon Province in 1996, and rescue operations in disasters. In April, he reached 5,000 hours of flight time with a record of no accidents. He is now working on aircraft maintenance.

“When an engine gear malfunctioned during an air operation in 2000, Warrant Officer Oh helped the aircraft make a safe landing,” an Army officer said. On the back of his contribution, he received the “Well Done Award” that is given for outstanding airmanship.

“Given that aircraft, on which I conduct safety checks, are used by my son and his fellow pilots, I am more committed to inspecting them,” Oh Byeong-nam said. “I feel proud of myself when I see aircraft that I have inspected flying safely.”

Oh Jeong-hwan was selected as an aviation officer last year.

“I decided to begin a career as an aviation officer after being attracted by my father's job of flying,” he said. “Also, I am proud of piloting the same Cobra helicopter as my father did. I will try my best as an aviation officer to live up to my father's expectations.”

Oh Jeong-hwan is scheduled to be promoted to the position of Army captain soon.