Republic of Korea Air Force

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Republic of Korea Air Force
  • 대한민국 공군
  • Daehanminguk Gong-gun
Republic of Korea Air Force emblem.png
Republic of Korea Air Force emblem
Founded1 October 1949; 74 years ago (1949-10-01)
Country South Korea
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
  • 65,000 (2020)[1]
  • 740 aircraft
Part of Republic of Korea Armed Forces
HeadquartersGyeryong
Motto(s)
  • 대한민국을 지키는 가장 높은 힘
  • "The Highest Power Defending Korea"[2]
March
  • 공군가
  • "Air Force Song"[3][4]
Mascot(s)Haneuli and Purumae
Engagements
Commanders
President Yoon Suk-yeol
Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup
Chief of Staff of the Air ForceGeneral Jung Sang-hwa
Insignia
FlagFlag of the Republic of Korea Air Force.svg
LogoLogo of the Republic of Korea Air Force.png
RoundelRoundel of South Korea.svg
Low Visibility RoundelRoundel of South Korea – Low Visibility.svg
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		E-7A
FighterF-5E/F, F-4E, F-16C, F-15K, FA-50, F-35A
HelicopterBell 412, CH-47D, HH-60P, S-92, Ka-32, MD 500 Defender, Eurocopter AS332
Attack helicopterMD 500 Defender
PatrolRQ-4 Global Hawk
ReconnaissanceRC-800, Dassault Falcon 2000
TrainerKAI KT-1, TA-50/50B, KT-100
TransportBoeing 747, Boeing 737, CASA CN-235, C-130H, C-130J
TankerKC-30A

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF; Korean: 대한민국 공군; RR: Daehanminguk Gong-gun), also known as the ROK Air Force or South Korean Air Force, is the aerial warfare service branch of South Korea, operating under the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea.

History

P-51 Mustangs were among the first fighter aircraft for the ROKAF

1940s

Shortly after the end of World War II, the South Korean Air Construction Association was founded on August 10, 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 the modern South Korean Ministry of National Defense. On September 13, 1949, the United States contributed 10 L-4 Grasshopper observation aircraft to the South Korean air unit. An Army Air Academy was founded in January 1949, and the ROKAF was officially founded in October 1949.

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 trainers and liaison aircraft, including 10 North American T-6 Texan 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 North American F-51D Mustangs, along with a contingent of US Air Force instructor pilots under the command of Major Dean Hess, as part of Bout One Project. 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.

1960s

An F-4D armed with AIM-9 missiles at Daegu Air Base in January 1979

To counter the threat of possible North Korean aggression, the ROKAF underwent a substantial capability enhancement. The ROKAF acquired North American T-28 Trojan trainers, North American F-86D Sabre night- and all-weather interceptors, Northrop F-5 fighters and McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom 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. The Eunma Unit was founded in 1966 to operate Curtiss C-46 Commando transport aircraft used to support Republic of Korea Army and Republic of Korea Marine Corps units serving in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[5]

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 the purchase of Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters in August 1974 and F-4E fighter-bombers. Support aircraft, such as Fairchild C-123 Providers and Grumman S-2 Trackers were also purchased at the time. Great emphasis was placed in the flight training program; new trainer aircraft (Cessna T-41 Mescalero and Cessna 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.

1980s

The ROKAF concentrated on qualitative expansion of aircraft to catch up to the strength of the North Korean Air Force. In 1982, Korean variants of the F-5E, the Jegong-ho were first produced. The ROKAF gathered a good deal of information on the North Korean Air Force when Captain Lee Woong-pyeong, a North Korean pilot, defected to South Korea. The Korean Combat Operations Information center was soon formed and the Air Defence System was automated to attain air superiority against North Korea. When the 1988 Seoul Olympics was held in South Korea, the ROKAF contributed to the success of this event by helping to oversee the entire security system. The ROKAF also moved its headquarters and the Air Force Education & Training Command to other locations. 40 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters were also purchased in 1989.

1990s

Republic of Korea Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Jets

South Korea committed its support for coalition forces during the Persian Gulf War, forming the "Bima Unit" to fight in the war. The 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 of F-16 Block 52 specifications 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 Korean Air Force Academy.

2000s

The last of the old South Korean 60 F-5A/B fighters were all retired in August 2007, and they were replaced with the F-15K and F/A-50. On October 20, 2009, Bruce S. Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force said that the ROKAF's limited intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities increased the risk of instability on the Korean Peninsula and suggested the purchase of American systems such as the F-35 Lightning II to close this gap.[6]

2010s

The South Korean Air Force also expressed interests in acquiring the RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) and a number of Joint Direct Attack Munition conversion kits to further improve its intelligence and offensive capabilities. In 2014, Northrop Grumman awarded a contract to provide South Korea with four RQ-4 Global.[7] The South Korean Airforce acquired 40 F-35s and +20 additional F-35.

2020s

In 2021, the Space Operations Center was established at the Air Force Headquarters.[8]

Organization

A Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft

Republic of Korea Air Force Headquarters

  • Air Force Operations Command
    • Air Combat Command
      • 1st Fighter Wing, based at Gwangju (F-5E/F)
      • 8th Fighter Wing, based at Wonju (FA-50)
      • 10th Fighter Wing, based at Suwon (KF-5E/F, F-4E)
      • 11th Fighter Wing, based at Daegu (F-15K)
      • 16th Fighter Wing, based at Yecheon (TA-50, FA -50)
      • 17th Fighter Wing, based at Cheongju (F-35A)
      • 18th Fighter Wing, based at Gangneung (KF-5E/F)
      • 19th Fighter Wing, based at Chungju (KF-16)
      • 20th Fighter Wing, based at Seosan (KF-16)
      • 29th Tactical Fighter Weapons Group, base at Cheongju
      • 38th Fighter Group, based at Gunsan (KF-16)
    • Air Mobility & Reconnaissance Command
      • 3rd Flying Training Wing, based at Sacheon
      • 5th Air Mobility Wing, based at Gimhae
        • Air Force Aerial Command Unit based at Gangseo-gu, Busan
      • 15th Special Missions Wing, based at Seongnam
        Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force
      • 39th Reconnaissance Wing, based at Chungju[9]
      • 6th Search & Rescue Air Group, base at Cheongju
        • 231st Search and Rescue Squadron
        • 233th Search and Rescue Squadron
        • 235th Search and Rescue Squadron
        • Special search and Rescue squad
      • 28th Flight Group
      • 51st Air Control Flight Group, base at Gimhae
    • Air Defense Missile Command
      • 1st Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 2nd Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 3rd Air Defense Missile Brigade
    • Air Defense & Control Command
      • 31st Air Defense & Control Group (1MCRC)
      • 32nd Air Defense & Control Group (2MCRC)
      • 33rd Air Defense & Control Group
      • 34th Air Defense & Control Group
  • Air Force Logistics Command
  • Air Force Education & Training Command
    • Basic Military Training Wing
    • Air Force Aviation Science High School
    • 1st Logistics School
    • 2nd Logistics School
    • Information Communication School
    • Administrative School
    • Air Defence Artillery School
    • Boramae Leadership Center
  • Air Force Academy

Current Major Projects

KF-X future fighter program

Main article: KAI KF-21 Boramae

The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae (Northern Goshawk) is a multi-role 4.5 generation fighter. It will have capabilities in between the light FA-50 fighter and the high-grade, long range, heavy payload F-15K and F-35 Lightning II.[10][11]

Mid-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (MUAV)

Main article: KUS-FS MALE

The indigenously developed KUS-FS, nicknamed MUAV or Korean Unmanned System (KUS-FS), is designed for armed land and sea Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions with endurance of up to 24 hours. Its maiden flight was in 2012. Korean Air's Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) unveiled its MALE UAV in 2019 with LIG Nex1 SAR and Hanwha EO/IR sensors, aimed for serial production in 2021. It reportedly has a wider wingspan than the Reaper at 25 m and is powered by a 1200 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine.[12][13][14] South Korea will develop turbofan engines to be installed in high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles by 2025.[15]

M-SAM Block II

In the spring of 2017 the PIP missile (M-SAM Block II) began its final tests, during which it shot down five of five practice ballistic missile targets. Seven (batteries) are scheduled for deployment throughout South Korea by 2022.[16]

L-SAM

L-SAM refers to a locally made long-range surface-to-air missile current under development, while the Cheolmae II, also known as KM-SAM, is a domestically manufactured medium-range surface-to-air missile capable of engaging an incoming target at an altitude as high as 20 kilometers. The new project has been nicknamed the K-THAAD due to its planned long range of 25 to 93 miles and ability to hit targets high as 200,000 feet. Nearly $1 billion has been devoted to the L-SAM or Cheolmae-4, which is scheduled for completion in 2022 with deployment of four batteries to follow a year or two afterwards.[17]

Long Range Air Defense Radar

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has launched a project to develop an indigenous long-range air defense radar. Foreign-manufactured radars (Lockheed Martin TPS-77) currently in use to monitor Kadiz will be phased out and replaced with the new domestic equipment starting from 2027, according to the agency.[citation needed]

Inventory

Aircraft

F-15K on landing
A FA-50 on first delivery
The air force operates the Kamov Ka-32A4s helicopter for CSAR
A F-16 Fighting Falcon on take off
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
KAI KF-21 Boramae Republic of Korea multirole KF-21 120 on order
KAI KT-1 Republic of Korea COIN / light attack KA-1 20[18]
KAI T-50 Republic of Korea light multirole FA-50 60[18]
F-4 Phantom II United States fighter-bomber F-4E 19[18]
F-5 Tiger II United States light fighter F-5E/F 80[18]
F-15E Strike Eagle United States strike fighter F-15K 59[18]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States multirole KF-16C/D/V 167 Being upgraded to F-16V.[19]
F-35 Lightning II United States multirole F-35A 40[20]
AWACS
Boeing 737 AEW&C United States AEW&C E-737 4[18] Employs a Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar
Reconnaissance
Dassault Falcon France ELINT 2000 2[18] 4 on order[21]
Hawker 800 United Kingdom reconnaissance / SIGINT RC-800s 8[18]
Tanker
Airbus A330 MRTT Spain aerial refueling / transport KC-330 4[18]
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP transport 737-300 1[22]
Boeing 747 United States VIP transport 747-8 1[23] Presidential transport leased from Korean Air since 2022.[24]
CASA/IPTN CN-235 Spain transport / utility CN-235-100M 12[18]
Indonesia CN-235-220M 6[18]
VIP transport VCN-235-220M 2[18]
C-130 Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130H 4[18]
C-130H-30 4[18]
special mission transport MC-130K 4[18] Converted from 4 C-130H on 2014.[25]
C-130J Super Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130J-30 4[18]
Helicopters
Bell 412 United States utility 3[18]
Boeing CH-47 United States transport / CSAR HH-47D 11[18]
Eurocopter AS332 France utility / transport 3[18]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia CSAR Ka-32 7[18]
MD 500 Defender United States scout / light attack 25[18]
Sikorsky HH-60 United States utility / CSAR HH-60P 17[18]
Sikorsky S-92 United States VIP 3[26]
Trainer Aircraft
KAI KT-1 Republic of Korea trainer 82[18]
KAI T-50 Republic of Korea trainer T-50 50
T-50B 10 Specialized version for Black Eagles aerobatic team
LIFT TA-50 22 20 on order[18]
KAI KC-100 Republic of Korea trainer KT-100 23[18]
UAV
RQ-4 Global Hawk United States surveillance RQ-4B 4[27]

Retired aircraft

Retired North American F-86F Sabre of the ROKAF on display

Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the P-51 Mustang, North American F-86 Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, Curtiss C-46, Douglas C-47, Grumman S-2 Tracker, Lockheed T-33, BAe 748, Cessna T-37, Cessna A-37, North American T-28, North American T-6, Sikorsky H-19, and the Bell UH-1 Huey.[28][29][30]

Air Defence

The ROKAF Air Defence Artillery Command transferred from the Republic of Korea Army's air defense artillery and was established as a basic branch on 1 July 1991.[31]

Name Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Surface-to-air missile
MIM-104 Patriot United States ABM / SAM system PAC-3[32] 8 batteries[33]
KM-SAM Cheongung Republic of Korea medium range ABM / SAM system Block I 18 batteries[34]
Block II 1 (7 on order)[35]
Anti-aircraft artillery
M167 VADS Republic of Korea anti-aircraft gun KM167A3 200 20mm anti-aircraft gun
Man-portable air-defense system
KP-SAM Shingung Republic of Korea man-portable air-defense system 2,000

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 the prefix sub-.. Each of these is coupled with "wi" equals company grade, "ryeong" equals field grade, and "jang" equals general. This system is due to the hanja or Sino-Korean origin of the names.

Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Republic of Korea Air Force[36]
 Marshal of the ROK Superior general Middle general Junior general Lesser general Superior commander Middle commander Junior commander Superior lieutenant Middle lieutenant Junior lieutenant
원수
Wonsu 		대장
Daejang 		중장
Jungjang 		소장
Sojang 		준장
Junjang 		대령
Daeryeong 		중령
Jungnyeong 		소령
Soryeong 		대위
Daewi 		중위
Jungwi 		소위
Sowi
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Republic of Korea Air Force[36]
 SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-9.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-8.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-7.svg SouthKorea-AirForce-OR-6.svg Rokaf4.png Rokaf3.png Rokaf2.png Rokaf1.png
원사
Wonsa 		상사
Sangsa 		중사
Jungsa 		하사
Hasa 		병장
Byeongjang 		상등병
Sangdeungbyeong 		일등병
Ildeungbyeong 		이등병
Ideungbyeong

Warrant officers

ROK Air Force's rank ROK Air Force's insignia
Jun-wi (warrant officer)
(준위) 		SouthKorea-AirForce-WO.svg

Roundels

  • 2000–present

    2000–present

  • 2000–present (low-visibility)

    2000–present
    (low-visibility)

  • 1951–2000

    1951–2000

  • 1950s

    1950s

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 Defence White Paper" (PDF). December 2020.
  2. ^ "Slogan of Air Force". Republic of Korea Air Force.
  3. ^ "공군가". YouTube (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  4. ^ KY Karaoke (금영노래방 공식 유튜브 채널) (12 December 2014). "[KY 금영노래방] 군가 - 공군가 (KY Karaoke No.KY4574)". Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2016 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Larsen, Stanley; Collins, Lawton (1985). Allied Participation in Vietnam. Department of the Army. p. 131. ISBN 9781410225016.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Korea Urged to Secure Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems". 20 October 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  7. ^ Hoyle, Craig (17 December 2014). "Seoul finalises $657 million Global Hawk purchase". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  8. ^ "South Korean Air Force Inaugurates Space Operations Center". aviationweek.com. Aviation Week. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  9. ^ [1] South Korea establishes new air force reconnaissance unit- airforce-technology.com, 03 Nov 2020
  10. ^ "KAI KF-21 (KF-X)". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  11. ^ "South Korea rolls out prototype of its first indigenous fighter aircraft". janes.com. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  12. ^ "South Korea highlights unmanned systems interest in latest defence spending plan". Janes.com. 14 August 2020.
  13. ^ "South Korean MND eyes KUS-FS UAV for RoKA Ground Operations Command". Janes.com. 30 March 2020.
  14. ^ "South Korean KUS-FS MALE UAS Continues Flight Trials". Uasweekly.com. 23 March 2018.
  15. ^ "S. Korea to develop indigenous turbofan engine by 2025". Yonhap News Agency. January 30, 2020.
  16. ^ 한국형 패트리엇 '천궁' 양산 추진, KAMD 구축 '잰걸음' - edaily.co.kr, 7 February 2018
  17. ^ Meet South Korea's Very Own Killer S-300 Air Defense System - nationalinterest.org, 24 February 2019
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  19. ^ "South Korea Upgrades KF-16 Fighter Jets With Enhanced Situational Awareness Capability". The Diplomats. 22 February 2018.
  20. ^ "S. Korea's Air Force completes deployment of 40 F-35A fighters: sources". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  21. ^ Giovanzanti, Alessandra (2021-11-01). "KAI to develop new ISR aircraft system for RoKAF under Baekdu-II project". janes.com. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  22. ^ "WAF 2004 pg. 86". Flightglobal Insight. 2004. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  23. ^ "ROK Air Force". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  24. ^ "S. Korea's new presidential jet enters service for Moon's trip to Middle East". Yonhap News Agency. 15 January 2022.
  25. ^ "軍, 참수작전용 '특수수송기' 6월 도입‥4대 전력화" [Military introduces special transport aircraft for beheading operations in June, deploys four] (in Korean). New Daily. 28 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Sikorsky Delivers Three S-92 Helicopters to Korean Air Force". aero-news.net. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  27. ^ "US delivers fourth and final RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV to RoKAF". www.janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  28. ^ "World Air Forces 1955 pg. 648". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  29. ^ "World Air Forces 1973 pg. 152". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  30. ^ "World Air Forces 1969 pg. 249". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  31. ^ "국가법령정보센터 - 법령 > 본문 - 공군방공포병사령부령". www.law.go.kr. Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  32. ^ "Deliveries of PAC-3 air-defence systems to RoKAF completed". www.janes.com. 14 December 2020.
  33. ^ Trade Registers. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 6 October 2015
  34. ^ "북 미사일 막을 방공망 촘촘해진다 [양낙규 군사전문기자]" (in Korean). www.asiae.co.kr/article 아시아경제. 19 August 2020.
  35. ^ "RoKAF receives first Cheongung-II M-SAM battery". www.janes.com. 26 November 2020.
  36. ^ a b "gyegeubjang-ui jesig(je7joje2hang gwanlyeon)" 계급장의 제식(제7조제2항 관련) [Rank insignia (related to Article 7 (2))]. law.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 30 December 2021.

External links

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