Black Eagles return to Europe

The Dae Han Minguk Gong Gun (RoKAF, Republic of Korea Air Force) has announced that its aerobatic team plans to join three international air shows in Britain in July 2022, marking its first visit to the European nation in 10 years.

The Black Eagles team is set to participate in the Southport Air Show, Royal International Air Tattoo, and Farnborough Airshow from 9-22 July, as part of military diplomacy to promote South Korean-made aircraft.

The team last attended a British show in 2012. In later years the team joined flight events in Singapore and Malaysia but did not travel to Britain due largely to geographical distance, according to RoKAF officials.

The team of twelve pilots will fly eight T-50B supersonic trainer jets to stage various performances, including its trademark show of drawing with smoke tails the taegeuk mark, a signature symbol of South Korea’s national flag.

A joint flight with its British counterpart, the Red Arrows, has also been arranged to highlight the two countries’ friendship.

Next month, the Air Force plans to disassemble nine T-50B jets, including a spare, and transport them to Britain by air. South Korea will also utilize three C-130 transport aircraft to ship other pieces of equipment.

Following its trip to Britain, the team plans to visit thirteen other countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Egypt and the Philippines, to promote South Korean military assets, such as the FA-50 light attack aircraft. For the entire trip the team’s flight distance before its return home is estimated to be 20,000 kilometers.

Source: Republic of Korea Air Force
Photo: Gert Jan Mentink