[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] Black Eagles Flight in the British Sky

The Republic of Korea Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, performed a friendship flight with the British Air Force's special flight team, the Red Arrows, at the RIAT Airshow in the UK on the 17th. (Photo by the Air Force)

The Republic of Korea Air Force's special flight team, Black Eagles, is performing a friendship flight with the Royal Air Force's special flight team, Red Arrows, at the RIAT Airshow in the UK on the 17th. (Photo by the Air Force)

[The Asia Business Daily, Military Correspondent Yang Nakgyu] The Air Force's special flight team, the Black Eagles, participated in the world's largest military airshow, the RIAT Airshow, held at Fairford Air Base in the UK on the 17th (local time) for the first time in 10 years, and won both the top prize and the popularity award.

On the 18th, the Air Force announced, "At the performance, which featured 38 teams from 34 countries, the eight-member Black Eagles team showcased the performance of Korea's main fighter, the T-50B, with creative and spectacular maneuvers. Just like 10 years ago, they swept both the top prize (King Hussein Memorial Sword RIAT 2022) and the popularity award (Best Flying Demonstration judged by RIAT)," adding, "They simultaneously received the awards given to the most technically outstanding and best team among all participants."

Major Yang Eunho (56th class of the Air Force Academy), who led the formation as the pilot of aircraft No. 1, said, "The Black Eagles' competitiveness comes from the outstanding T-50 aircraft," and added, "Because we can perform airshows at a fast tempo and execute combat maneuvers, many people enjoy and appreciate our performance."

Kim Ji-hyung, Head of Public Relations at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), who was directly involved in the design of the T-50, said, "Watching the Black Eagles' T-50B, I felt proud and fulfilled recalling the five years I spent participating in its design," and continued, "Based on the T-50's excellent performance and proven reliability, we aim to pave the way for exporting 1,000 units."

The Black Eagles members enjoyed great popularity at this airshow. Some local spectators waited for the Black Eagles pilots after their maneuvers to get autographs. Isla Russell, a local audience member, caught attention by handing a carefully written letter in Korean, which she learned through K-pop, to one of the pilots. In her letter, she wrote in Korean, "Dear Black Eagles, it is an honor to be with you. I hope you have a great time here in the UK and that you can return again soon," expressing her deep admiration as a fan.

Amy Davana, a member of the Royal Air Force youth military band who wore a traditional Scottish kilt, said, "Among all the performances I saw at this airshow, the Black Eagles were my favorite. In fact, they were even more impressive than the Red Arrows," giving them a thumbs-up.

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