South Korea’s Air Force 18th Fighter Wing, 112th Fighter Squadron Achieves 80,000 Accident-Free Flight Hours

South Korea’s Air Force 18th Fighter Wing, 112th Fighter Squadron, operating F-5 fighter jets, has reached 80,000 accident-free flight hours over 28 years. This accomplishment underscores their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the airspace over South Korea’s northeastern region.

On Monday, the 18th Fighter Wing announced that the 112th Squadron had reached 80,000 accident-free flight hours and held a ceremony to commemorate the milestone.

This record, completed on November 15 with a flight by Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jin Taek and Captain Jeong Young Min, marks 28 years of effort since November 7, 1996.

In terms of distance, the 80,000 hours translate to approximately 65.52 million kilometers, equivalent to circling the Earth about 1,635 times. Considering the inherently risky nature of combat flight operations, achieving 80,000 accident-free hours is no small feat. The 18FW attributed this success to the combined efforts of its entire team, including pilots, maintenance crews, ordnance specialists, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, and all other personnel.

Lieutenant Colonel Kim expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This milestone is the result of the united efforts of our squadron and the 18th Fighter Wing as a whole. We remain committed to maintaining a perfect air defense posture to protect the lives and property of our citizens.”