Republic of Korea Air Force
 |
| Republic of Korea Air Force | |
|---|---|
| File:ROK af logo.png Mark of the Republic of Korea Air Force | |
| Active | October 1, 1949 – present |
| Country | South Korea |
| Size | 65,000(2008)[1] |
| Mascot(s) | Haneuli / Purumae |
| Aircraft | 780(2008)[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force Chief of Staff | General Lee Gye-hoon |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROK Air Force, ROKAF, Hangeul: 대한민국 공군, Hanja: 大韓民國 空軍) is the air force of South Korea. It operates under the Ministry of National Defense.
The ROKAF is an air force which has approximately 400 combat aircraft of American design, plus a few Russian and indigenously designed aircraft.
Founding Years
Shortly after the end of World War II, the Korean Air Construction Association was founded in 1946 to publicize the importance of air power. Despite the then-scanty status of Korean armed forces, the first air unit was formed on May 5, 1948 under the direction of Dong Wi-bu, the forerunner to modern the Korean Ministry of National Defence. On September 13 1949, the United States contributed 10 L-4 Grasshopper observation aircraft to the Korean air unit. An Army Air Academy was founded on January, 1949, and the ROKAF was officially founded on October, 1949.
The outbreak of the Korean war and the 1950s
The 1950s were a critical time for the ROKAF as it expanded tremendously during the Korean War. At the outbreak of the war, the ROKAF consisted of 1,800 personnel but was equipped with only 20 trainer and liaison aircraft, including 10 T-6 Texan (Korean:건국기, Hanja: 建國機, Geongukgi) advanced trainers purchased from Canada. The North Korean air force had acquired a considerable number of Yak-9 and La-7 fighters from the Soviet Union, dwarfing the ROKAF in terms of size and strength. However, during the course of the war, the ROKAF acquired 110 aircraft: 79 fighter-bombers, three fighter squadrons, and one fighter wing. The first combat aircraft received were F-51D Mustangs, along with a contingent of US Air Force instructor pilots under the command of Major Dean Hess. The ROKAF participated in bombing operations and flew independent sorties. After the war, the ROKAF Headquarters was moved to Daebangdong, Seoul. Air Force University was also founded in 1956.
The 1960s
To counter the threat of possible North Korean aggression, the ROKAF underwent a substantial capability enhancement. The ROKAF acquired T-28 trainers, F-86D night- and all-weather interceptors, F-5 fighters and F-4D fighter bombers. Air Force Operations Command was established in 1961 to secure efficient command and control facilities. Air Force logistics Command was established in 1966, and emergency runways were constructed for emergency use during wartime. Eunma Unit was founded in 1966 to aid the United States during the Vietnam War.
The 1970s
The ROKAF was posed with a security risk, with an increasingly belligerent North Korea throughout the 1970s. The South Korean government increased its expenditure on the ROKAF, resulting in purchase of F-5E fighters in August of 1974 and F-4E fighter bombers. Support aircraft, such as C-123s and S-2s were also purchased at the time. Great emphasis was placed in the flight training program; new trainer aircraft (T-41 and T-37) were purchased, and the Air Force Education & Training Command was also founded in 1973 to consolidate and enhance the quality of personnel training.
The 1980s and 1990s
The ROKAF concentrated on qualitative expansion of aircraft to catch up to the strength of North Korean Air Force. In 1982, Korean variants of the F-5E, the Jegong-ho (hangul:제공호, hanja:制空號) were first produced. The ROKAF gathered considerable information on North Korean air force when Captain Lee Woong-Pyeong, a North Korean pilot, defected to South Korea. The Korean Combat Operations Information center was institutionalized and the Air Defence system was automated to attain air superiority against North Korea. When the 1988 Seoul Olympics was hosted, the ROKAF contributed to the successful hosting of the event by helping to oversee the entire security detail. The ROKAF also moved the headquarters and Air Force Education & Training Command. 40 F-16 fighters were introduced in 1989.
South Korea committed its support for the Coalition force during the Gulf War. Bima Unit was formed to participate in Operation Desert Storm. ROKAF also provided airlift support for peacekeeping operations in Somalia in 1993. The increased participation in international operations depicted the ROKAF's elevated international position. Over 180 KF-16 fighters, versions the of F-16 Block 52, were introduced as part of the Peace Bridge II & III program from 1994. In 1997, for the first time in Korean aviation history, female cadets were accepted into the Air Force Academy.
Present
Similar to American one.
South Korea maintains a modern air force in order to defend itself from various threats, including the North Korean Army, which fields about twice as many aircraft (albeit of mostly obsolescent types). As of 2008, it operated more than 180 KF-16, 174 F-5E/F, 130 F-4D/E, 39 F-15K (with 21 additional F-15Ks being delivered by June 2010)), and a number of South Korean made T-50/A-50s among its combat aircraft. The last 60 F-5A and B aircraft were all retired as of August 2007 and are to be replaced by the F-15K and A-50. The Korean variant the of F-15E were named F-15K Slam Eagles due to their ability to launch the SLAM-ER missiles. South Korea became one of the world's few aircraft exporters when it exported 19 KT-1B indigenous training aircraft to Indonesia in 2003. Korean Aerospace Industries, the South Korean national aerospace company, has plans to export more KT-1 and T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer aircraft. In addition, the Ilyushin Il-103 has replaced the T-41 in the primary trainer role.
The Republic of Korea Air Force also expressed interests in acquiring the RQ-4 Global Hawk and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits to further improve their intelligence and offensive capabilities.
Order of battle
- Republic of Korea Air Force Headquarters (대한민국 공군본부)
- Air Force Operations Command (공군작전사령부)
- 5th Tactical Airlift Wing (제5전술공수비행단)
- 15th Composite Wing (제15혼성비행단)
- 30th Air Defense and Control Wing (제30방공관제단)
- 6th Combat Control Team/Combat Search And Rescue Group (제6탐색구조전대)
- Air Force Northern Combat Command (공군북부전투사령부) (unit under formation, will be operational by 2010)
- 8th Fighter Wing (제8전투비행단)
- 10th Fighter Wing (제10전투비행단)
- 17th Fighter Wing (제17전투비행단)
- 18th Fighter Wing (제18전투비행단)
- 19th Fighter Wing (제19전투비행단)
- 20th Fighter Wing (제20전투비행단)
- Air Force Southern Combat Command (공군남부전투사령부)
- 1st Fighter Wing (제1전투비행단)
- 11th Fighter Wing (제11전투비행단)
- 16th Fighter Wing (제16전투비행단)
- Air Defence Artillery Command (방공포병사령부)
- 1st Air Defence Artillery Brigade (제1방공포병여단)
- 2nd Air Defence Artillery Brigade (제2방공포병여단)
- 3rd Air Defence Artillery Brigade (제3방공포병여단)
- Air Force Logistics Command (공군군수사령부)
- Maintenance Depots (정비창)
- Supply Depots (보급창)
- Transportation Groups (수송단)
- Air Force Education & Training Command (공군교육사령부)
- Air Force University (공군대학)
- Basic Military Training Wing (기본군사훈련단)
- 3rd Flying Training Wing (제3훈련비행단)
- Air Force High School of Technology (공군기술고등학교)
- Technical Schools (병과학교)
- Aerospace Projects Group
- Aerial Combat Development Group (공군전투발전단)
- Air Force Academy (공군사관학교)
Current projects
F-X fighter program
F-X Phase 1
One of the most recent additions to the ROKAF is F-15K Slam Eagle (Korean: F-15K 슬램이글), an advanced derivative of the F-15E Strike Eagle which fulfilled the requirements of the "F-X" next generation fighter program in 2002. The F-15K was chosen over the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Sukhoi Su-35. Although the Rafale received more favorable reviews by the senior military officials, the F-15K was chosen at the end due to the easier process of unit integration since the ROKAF already has existing stockpiles of weapons that can be used with the F-15K more easily than with Rafale.
F-15K crash controversy
On June 7, 2006, an F-15K crashed off the coast of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, S. Korea, during a nighttime intercept training mission, killing both pilots on board. The ROKAF commissioned a full investigation, lasting several months. The Republic of Korea Air Force later issued a public statement saying that the accident was apparently caused by both crew members entering a state of g-loc that lasted 16 seconds and resulted in loss of control of the aircraft. Subsequent public outcry ensued with accusations of a cover-up. Various Discussions included 1. the blackbox (ECSMU) was not recovered, due to the great depth (1200ft)of the crash site. 2. F-15Ks are NOT equipped with automatic GLC (G Limited Control anti-gloc device) systems, and 3. the pilots were both seasoned Air Force veterans and the claim that both of them simultaneously lost consciousness for 16 seconds seemed unlikely. (The normal time for gloc is between 2 to 3 seconds). Other factors considered in the investigation were the cloudy weather conditions, pilot workload , night mission with the use of NVG's (night vision goggles). Flight control actuators and major engine parts that were found and analyzed as part of the investigation which ruled out mechanical problems with the aircraft.[1]
F-X Phase 2
For the second phase of the F-X program, ROKAF has purchased 21 additional F-15K to compensate for the retirement of their F-5A/B in August 2007. The avionics configuration for the Phase 1 and 2 F-15K remains largely identical, and the only differences are that the weapon compatibility has been increased (AGM-158 JASSM, Bunker Busters, etc.) and that the engines have been switched from the F110-STW-129A to the F100-PW-229EEP, an improved version of the F100-PW-229. The new engines have commonality with the F100-PW-229 engines on the KF-16 and are compatible with each other, allowing ROKAF the option to interchange the engines among the KF-16 and Phase 2 F-15K. This allows the F-15K to be equipped with a KF-16's F100-PW-229 if necessary. However, the decision has not been well received by some South Korean military pundits, who remain skeptical about the Pratt & Whitney engines due to its reliability problems on the KF-16 and consider the General Electric engines to be much more reliable. [2][3]
F-X Phase 3
The third phase of the F-X project is a bid for an advanced multi-role strike fighter aircraft by 2014, intended to replace the ageing F-4 Phantom II and F-5. The rumored purchase number is 40-60 aircraft (11.6 billion dollar project). The Korean Ministry of Defense has shown interest in the F-22 Raptor, but the United States Department of Defense is unlikely to permit the export of this adevanced stealth fighter. The only candidate remaining is the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, but the Boeing Corporation of the United States is proposing its newly-designed F-15SE Silent Eagle to South Korean Air Force.
E-X Early warning aircraft program
The E-X Early Warning aircraft program was a project undertaken by ROKAF to purchase early warning aircraft to strengthen ROKAF's ability to detect and distinguish both friendly and hostile aircraft. The two candidates for this program were Boeing Wedgetail, military variants of Boeing 737, and Gulfstream G500/G550, developed by General Dynamics.
The variant of Boeing 737 was offered by the United States, whereas the variant of Gulfstream of G500/G550 was offered by Israel. Originally, ROKAF expressed interest in the Gulfstream as it was cheaper than the Boeing counterpart. The Gulfstream was, in turn, less capable than the 737. However, the fact that almost no other nations, barring Japan, has advanced AWACS gave the Koreans the impression that the Gulfstream would be adequate enough to handle the given task of the E-X project.
In response to ROKAF's favor of the Israeli version of Gulfstream's lower cost, the United States issued a warning to the Israelis that several of the AWACS technologies employed aboard the Israeli Gulfstream were developed by the United States, such as the IFF system, TADIL A/B (link 11) and J (link 16), satellite communications and AN/ARC-164 Have Quick II radios, and finally that the Israelis were in obligation of not reselling any of those technologies to another country.
The winner of the competition is conclused by Boeing E-737 at November, 2006.
KFX future fighter program
The KFX program is a project to develop an indigenous fighter aircraft. The ROKAF specified a twin-engined stealth fighter with an internal weapon bay. Boeing will be assisting South Korea in the development of the KFX, which is intended to replace the aging F-4s.
Main equipment
Aircraft
Template:Standard table
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service[2]
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Avro 748 || 
United Kingdom || VIP transport || HS.748 || 7 ||
|-----
| BAE Hawk || United Kingdom || trainer || T-59 Hawk 67 || 16 ||
|-----
| Bell UH-1H Iroquis || 
United States || utility helicopter || UH-1H || 13 ||
|-----
| Bell UH-1N Twin Huey || United States || transport helicopter || 212
UH-1N || 2
3 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky UH-60 || United States || VIP transport
rescue helicopter || VH-60P
HH-60P || 10 ||
|-----
| Boeing 737 || United States || VIP transport || 737-3Z8 || 1 || Korean Air Force One
|-----
| Boeing CH-47 Chinook || United States || rescue helicopter || HH-47D || 7 ||
|-----
| Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle || United States || fighter-bomber || F-15K Slam Eagle || 39 (60) || under delivery
|-----
| CASA CN-235 || 
Spain
Indonesia || tactical transport || CN-235-100
CN-235-220 || 12
12 || built by CASA
built by IAE
|-----
| Cessna T-37 Tweet || United States || trainer || T-37C Tweet || 25 || T-37 is replaced by KT-1
|-----
| Eurocopter AS 332L Cougar || Indonesia || VIP transport helicopter || AS 332L || 3 || built by IPTN
|-----
| Ilyushin Il-103 || 
Russia || trainer || T-103 || 23 ||
|-----
| KAI KT-1 Ungbi || 
South Korea || trainer
forward air control & liaison || KT-1
KA-1 || 85
20 ||
|-----
| KAI T-50 Golden Eagle || South Korea || light fighter/attacker
CRT trainer/light attacker
advanced trainer
aerobatic specialized || F/A-50
T/A-50
T-50
T-50B || 0 (60)
0 (22)
35+ (50)
0 (10) || under development
under delivery
under delivery
under delivery, Black Eagles will use T-50 until T-50B delivered
|-----
| Kamov Ka-32 Helix-C || Russia || rescue helicopter || Ka-32T || 7 ||
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules || United States || tactical transport || C-130H
C-130H-30 || 8
4 ||
|-----
| Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon || United States || fighter
fighter-trainer
fighter
fighter-trainer || F-16C Block 32
F-16D Block 32
KF-16C Block 52
KF-16D Block 52 || 28
7
90
44 || KF-16 built by KAI under license
|-----
| McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II || United States || reconnaissance
fighter-bomber || RF-4C
F-4E || 17
95 ||
|-----
| Northrop F-5E Tiger II || United States || fighter
fighter-trainer
fighter
fighter-trainer || F-5E
F-5F
KF-5E
KF-5F|| 135 ||F-5E/F to be replaced by FA-50
KF-5 built by KAI under license
|-----
| Raytheon Hawker 800 || United States || reconnaissance || Hawker 800RA
Hawker 800SIG || 4
4 ||
|-----
| Sikorsky S-92A Superhawk || United States || VIP transport helicopter || S-92A || 3 ||
|-----
|}
Air Defense Artillery
Template:Standard table
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Air Defense Artillery
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot || United States || surface-to-air missile || MIM-104C PAC-2 || 3 battalions || former German Bundeswehr equipment
|-----
| Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk || United States || surface-to-air missile || || 6 battalions || To be replaced by KM-SAM
|-----
|}
Military ranks
Officer ranks can be learned fairly easily if one sees the pattern. "So" equals small; "Jung" equals medium; "Dae" equals large. "Jun" equals very small (used for 1 star general). Each of these is coupled with "wi" equals company grade, "ryung" equals field grade, and "jang" equals general. This system is due to the hanja or Sino-Korean origin of the names.
Because of this system, the same "Dae", but with a different "jang" means "large intestine," while "Sojang" can mean "small intestine." This is sometimes the subject of South Korean military humor.
Commissioned Officers
| ROK Air Force rank | ROK Air Force insignia |
| Dae-jang
(General) |
|
| Jung-jang
(Lieutenant General) |
|
| So-jang
(Major General) |
|
| Jun-jang
(Brigader General) |
|
| Dae-ryeong
(Colonel) |
|
| Jung-ryeong
(Lieutenant Colonel) |
|
| So-ryeong
(Major) |
|
| Dae-wi
(Captain) |
|
| Jung-wi
(First Lieutenant) |
|
| So-wi
(Second Lieutenant) |
Warrant officers
| ROK Air Force rank | ROK Air Force insignia |
| Jun-wi
(Warrant Officer) |
² |
Non-Commissioned Officers
| ROK Air Force rank | ROK Air Force insignia |
| Won-sa
(Chief Master Sergeant) |
|
| Sang-sa
(Senior Master Sergeant) |
|
| Jung-sa
(Master Sergeant) |
|
| Ha-sa
(Technical Sergeant) |
Enlisted
| ROK Air Force rank | ROK Air Force insignia |
| Byeong-jang
(Senior Airman) |
|
| Sang-deung-byeong
(Airman First Class) |
|
| Il-deung-byeong
(Airman) |
|
| I-deung-byeong
(Airman Basic) |
¹: No one held the rank of Won-su in the history of the ROK Armed Forces yet.
²: The Jun-wi (Warrant Officer)'s insignia is in brass color while the ones of Second Lieutenant and higher are in silver color.
References
- ^ a b "국방백서 2008" (PDF). 2009-02-23.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ South Korean military aviation OrBat
See also
- Military of South Korea
- Korean People's Army Air Force
- Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ)
External links
- ROK Air Force official website (Korean / English)
- Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) official website (Korean / English)
- Foxmouse Airbase (Korean)
| Leadership | |
|---|---|
| Branches | |
| Reserve components | |
| Procurement | |
| History | |
| Personnel | |
| Academy and School | |
| Equipment | |
