Black Eagles to participate in air show in Saudi Arabia next month

블랙이글스 [사진=공군]

SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's aerobatics team will participate in an air show in Saudi Arabia next month after a refueling stopover in Japan, the Air Force said Wednesday.

The team will depart Wonju next Wednesday for the International Defense Industry Exhibition, stopping in Okinawa, Japan, to refuel and hold an exchange event with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's aerobatics team Blue Impulse.

Japan had abruptly refused to provide refueling support for the Black Eagles after initially agreeing to do so, raising issues over a T-50B aircraft conducting routine training near the easternmost islets of Dokdo. However, shuttle diplomacy between the two countries, revived after President Lee Jae Myung's visit earlier this month, has gained momentum, allowing the refueling in Japan to proceed as planned.

After refueling in Japan, the Black Eagles will fly about 11,300 kilometers (7,020 miles) via Clark in the Philippines; Da Nang, Viet Nam; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Kolkata, Nagpur and Jamnagar, India; and Muscat, Oman, arriving Riyadh on Feb. 2.

The Air Force will send approximately 120 personnel, along with nine T-50B aircraft and four C-130 transport planes.

The team plans to showcase its "Mugunghwa" maneuver, inspired by South Korea's national flower, the rose of Sharon, symbolizing the country's perseverance and resilience.

Col. Noh Nam-seon of the team said, "As this will be our first air show in the Middle East, we will deliver our best performance, drawing on the flight expertise and teamwork we have built over the years."
Jun Sung-min 기자 ball@ajunews.com

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