Two Military Transport Aircraft Depart for Evacuation of Cheonghae Unit Members... Return Expected as Early as the 20th

An Air Force multi-purpose aerial refueling transport aircraft (KC-330) is taking off from Busan Gimhae Airport on the afternoon of the 18th to bring back all 300 crew members of the 34th Cheonghae Unit, confirmed to have a COVID-19 cluster infection.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Air Force transport planes carrying all members of the 34th Cheonghae Unit of the Navy, currently on operation in Africa, have taken off from Busan Gimhae Airport. They are expected to arrive at Seongnam Seoul Airport as early as late afternoon on the 20th, Korea time.

On the 18th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the operation name is 'Operation Oasis' and dispatched two multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft (KC-330) to the area at 4 p.m. that day.

Among the 101 members of the 34th Cheonghae Unit who have received COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results as of that day, a total of 68 tested positive. The remaining 200 members are still awaiting PCR test results. About 80 symptomatic individuals are in cohort isolation aboard the Munmu the Great-class destroyer (4,400 tons), and 15 people (including 3 confirmed cases) are hospitalized at a local hospital with suspected pneumonia symptoms.

For Operation Oasis, the Ministry of National Defense formed a special mission team of about 200 personnel, including 148 replacement troops (Navy) to sail the Munmu the Great-class destroyer back to Korea instead of the 34th Cheonghae Unit, 13 quarantine and medical personnel, and 39 support team members (Air Force). According to the Ministry of National Defense, all members of the special mission team have completed vaccination and tested negative in PCR tests.

To prepare for emergencies during transport, the aircraft is equipped with sufficient medical equipment and supplies, including onboard oxygen tanks, and medical staff will accompany the team to manage patients, including the 15 hospitalized at local hospitals. The Ministry of National Defense also reported that measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 onboard were implemented, such as installing partitions inside the aircraft and requiring all crew members to wear protective suits.

If the transport aircraft's takeoff and landing and the docking of the vessel at neighboring countries proceed smoothly, the 34th Cheonghae Unit members are expected to arrive at Seongnam Seoul Airport as early as late afternoon on the 20th, Korea time. The Ministry of National Defense plans to coordinate with quarantine authorities to secure dedicated medical institutions, residential treatment centers, and military quarantine facilities for the Cheonghae Unit members and will finalize plans as the status of confirmed cases becomes clear.

Close cooperation among related agencies and local diplomatic missions was essential for the urgent deployment of the transport aircraft. In particular, Minister of National Defense Seo Wook coordinated operations through joint calls with the defense ministers of the local countries. According to the Ministry of National Defense, companies such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines also contributed by providing onboard oxygen tanks.

At Gimhae Airport, Minister Seo Wook encouraged the special mission team, saying, "The safe and swift return of the Cheonghae Unit members, who dedicate themselves to protecting our citizens and international maritime security far from home, is our top priority." He also urged, "Complete the mission while strictly adhering to quarantine guidelines and return safely."

A Ministry of National Defense official explained, "With quarantine and medical experts included, thorough quarantine measures will be implemented during the vessel handover to ensure safe transport back to the country."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.