Korea's Black Eagles open Australian airshow as two countries bolster security ties

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, September 23, 2023 | 14:02

Defense

Korea's Black Eagles open Australian airshow as two countries bolster security ties

Posted : 2023-02-28 16:28

Updated : 2023-03-01 09:53

Korea's Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jung Sang-hwa, right, speaks to his Australian counterpart, Robert Chipman, left, during the opening event of the Australian International Airshow, also called the Avalon Airshow, at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Tuesday. Courtesy of Air Force

Air Force chiefs vow to bolster relations at event that excluded China and Russia

By Jung Min-ho

GEELONG, Australia ― Korea's Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jung Sang-hwa was standing right next to his Australian counterpart, Robert Chipman, when the Black Eagles, the aerobatic flight team of Korea, roared through the skies here Tuesday (local time) to open the Avalon Airshow.

Throughout their 20-minute performance, the two had a conversation about the meaning of the team's first participation in the biennial event, which was introduced in 1988, and what their countries can and should do for "peace and freedom" in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking to The Korea Times, Jung acknowledged Australia's support during the 1950-53 Korean War and said he was moved by the T-50B aircraft ― Korea's first domestically-developed supersonic jet that was chosen as the official plane of the aerobatic flight team ― flying high over the Australian skies seven decades after the war.

"Chipman deeply appreciated the Black Eagles' performance during the opening ceremony and spoke highly of the aircraft and their pilots," Jung said. "It's our time to support the country in the areas we can."

The Black Eagles perform during the opening event of the Australian International Airshow, also called the Avalon Airshow, at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Tuesday. Courtesy of Air Force

His message came as Australia strengthens security ties with countries in the region as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to counter growing threats from China and Russia ― two major military powers who were not invited to the event this year. The strategy, in nature, is almost identical to that of the United States and its key allies including Korea.

Following the Black Eagles' show, Jung visited the exhibition hall where he encountered Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, chief of Australia's joint operations, and offered to expand relations to the area of space. Bilton agreed and said he would pay a return visit in July.

In a show of their renewed partnership, a day before the opening, the Black Eagles and Australia's Roulettes aerobatic team, conducted a friendship flight while sharing the skies over Victoria. The Black Eagles pilots also plan to meet the Korean War veterans of No. 77 Squadron of Australia, which was the second country after the U.S. to decide to send air force planes to help Korea during the conflict as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

As the world is dividing into two increasingly clear geopolitical blocs amid tensions, Australia is building up its defense capabilities. That divide was visible at the event, where the presence of the U.S. and its free world allies from around 30 countries was dominant, unlike last week's arms fair in Abu Dhabi where Russia, China and their partners were aggressively promoting their military hardware.

This event brought the allies of the free world closer and created a good opportunity for the Korean armed forces and defense companies to promote their excellence, said Col. Seo Yeong-jun, leader of the Black Eagles.

"The defense industry is closely interrelated to other areas. Take a fighter jet, for example. It requires proper training programs, interoperability with other weapons and on-the-ground support systems among many others to be able to operate the jet," Seo said. "That means procuring military hardware requires trust between the makers and receivers."

This show, he added, greatly helped the members of his team and others improve that trust with their Australian counterparts.

Mark Keritz, leader of the Roulettes, said he was impressed by the skills and spirit of Team Korea, expressing his wish to increase exchanges between the pilots.

Asked whether there were any communication issues, Keritz, with a big smile on his face, said there weren't, thanks to "the language in the air" they could all speak.

mj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr