Black Eagles seek to show ROK Air Force's prowess in England

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 10:33

Defense

Black Eagles seek to show ROK Air Force's prowess in England

Posted : 2022-05-19 08:00

Updated : 2022-05-20 13:43

Air Force Maj. Yang Eun-ho / Courtesy of ROK Air Force

By Kang Seung-woo

When then-Air Force Capt. Yang Eun-ho saw the 53rd Air Demonstration Group, better known as the Black Eagles aerobatic team, wow spectators and win the trophy for best display at the Waddington International Air Show in Britain in 2012, he dreamed of being part of the squad.

Ten years later, Yang, now a major, leads the 239th Squadron of the demonstration group and is set to take off for breathtaking aerobatic flying displays in the team's return to the UK.

The Black Eagles are comprised of 12 pilots flying eight black, white and gold colored KAI T-50B Golden Eagle supersonic advanced trainer jets.

According to the Air Force, the Black Eagles are scheduled to participate in three international air shows in Britain, marking its first visit to the European nation in 10 years. The three shows are: the Southport Air Show (July 9 to 10), the Royal International Air Tattoo (July 15 to 17) and the Farnborough Air show (July 9 to 22), as part of military diplomacy to promote Korean-made aircraft.

"While assuming various duties such as F-4E pilot and T-50 instructor pilot, I badly wanted to be a Black Eagle," Yang told The Korea Times.

His dream came true after joining the flight display team in June 2021.

"Participating in many local events, my dream has been realized," Yang added.

Yang and other Black Eagle members will make an international air show debut in Britain.

"Usually, a Black Eagle pilot stays with the team for four years, but the Black Eagles have not participated in any international air shows for the last four years mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning no one has experienced an international event," he said.

The Black Eagles aerobatic team performs at the Waddington International Air Show in the UK in this June 30, 2012 photo. Courtesy of ROK Air Force

However, the debutants are set to play up to their billing as one of the world's best flight display teams.

"We are seeking to raise the status of Korea by showing the outstanding aerobatic performance at the air shows. Pilots from around the world will watch our flights and evaluate the skills of Korean fighter pilots," Yang said.

"We hope to show the outstanding flight skills of Korean fighter pilots to the world through the air shows there."

According to the Air Force, following its trip to Britain, the team plans to visit 13 other countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Egypt and the Philippines, where they will also participate in air shows, to promote Korean military assets, such as the FA-50, a light attack variant of the T-50 that has been exported to a number of countries.

"Stopping by the countries and showing off the aircraft's excellence, we hope to help boost the local defense industry's international recognition," Yang said.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr