Submarine Killer Unit 'Navy Aviation Command' Established

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Naval Aviation Command, which protects the nation's seas from the sky, has been established.

According to the Navy on the 15th, the Naval Aviation Command, elevated from the 6th Air Wing (a brigade-level command led by a brigadier general) to a division-level command led by a major general, was established and on the same day received maritime aviation operation control authority from the Naval Operations Command. The first commander appointed was Brigadier General Lee Sang-sik, former commander of the 6th Air Wing.

The Naval Aviation Command is a key unit for maritime surveillance operations, operating newly introduced maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon (photo), maritime operation helicopter MH-60R Seahawk, mine countermeasure helicopters, and shipborne reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Poseidon, which will be introduced sequentially with six units starting from the end of 2023, is equipped with the AN/APY-10 radar (maximum detection range of 800 km), has a top speed of 907 km/h, a cruising range of 7,500 km, and an operational radius of about 2,200 km, armed with Harpoon missiles and torpedoes. It is a modified Boeing 737 civilian aircraft. The Seahawk, of which 12 units will be introduced by 2025, measures 19.7 m in length, 5.1 m in height, and 3.3 m in rotor diameter, with a maximum speed of 150 knots. It is armed with torpedoes and air-to-surface guided missiles and equipped with dipping sonar and sonobuoys for enemy submarine detection. It can operate for about four hours per flight.

In particular, by newly operating the Maritime Air Operations Coordination Center (MAOCC), the command will strengthen cooperation with the U.S. 7th Fleet and others in maritime patrol missions during peacetime and lead joint maritime air operations in wartime. The establishment of the Naval Aviation Command was promoted considering the expansion of maritime air operation missions beyond the East, West, and South Seas to a wide area and the significant future enhancement of air power. Since the decision to establish the unit in January 2019, the Navy has reinforced the command headquarters and expanded and reorganized operational support and base defense units. Additionally, during the joint command post exercise held in April this year, the command's operational capability for exercising maritime air operation authority in wartime and peacetime was verified. Further, in the combat command inspection led by the Naval Operations Command scheduled for October this year, additional verification of combat readiness by sector will be conducted to ensure operational completeness.

First commander Brigadier General Lee Sang-sik said, "We will maintain a flawless aviation operation posture and build a strong aviation command to thoroughly prepare for the future."

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