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Due to the aftermath of the crash of the KF-16 fighter jet, the large-scale comprehensive air training 'Soring Eagle', which was scheduled to be held from yesterday (21st), has been temporarily postponed.
The Air Force temporarily suspended flights of the KF-16 and started safety inspections for all aircraft types.
This is Reporter Lee Dae-wook.
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Air Force temporarily postponed the 'Soring Eagle', a comprehensive aerial training that was supposed to be held from yesterday.
Soring Eagle is a large-scale comprehensive air training conducted by the ROK Air Force alone to prevent mass surprise infiltration by enemy air forces.
It is held twice a year, and the first half training was held in June.
The Air Force explained, "After a temporary delay due to the suspension of flights due to an aircraft accident, we will establish a detailed training schedule and proceed later."
Earlier, at around 8:05 pm the previous evening, a KF-16 belonging to the 19th Fighter Wing of the Air Force crashed in a mountainous area in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, and one pilot escaped safely.
The Air Force has decided to suspend the flight of the KF-16 until the cause of the accident is identified, and is carefully checking all types of aircraft for abnormalities.
As this crash was detected as an engine system abnormality, the aircraft's engine system is subject to intensive inspection.
During the inspection period, the Air Force announced that "the KF-16 will also be put on standby" while maintaining readiness and emergency power.
About 130 KF-16s, a fourth-generation multi-purpose fighter, are operated as the backbone of our military's air power.