South Korea’s 16th Fighter Wing (16FW) reported on Wednesday that it had conducted a Joint Oil Spill Containment Training exercise on Tuesday.
The training involved the 16FW Supply Battalion, Korea Environment Corporation’s Daegu-Gyeongbuk Environmental Headquarters, the Yecheon Police Department, the Yecheon Fire Department, and the Yecheon County Office. It was the first exercise held under the Agreement on Response to Water Pollution Accidents in the Yecheon Region, signed on October 28.
The 16FW simulated a scenario in which oil spills contaminated a nearby river, focusing on improving initial response capabilities and enhancing joint response coordination with related agencies.
The training began with a scenario in which approximately 1,500 liters of aviation fuel leaked into a nearby river due to pipeline damage during fuel receipt operations. The 16FW Supply Battalion carried out initial containment measures while requesting joint assistance from the Yecheon County Office and the Korea Environment Corporation.
Emergency response teams from various agencies promptly arrived at the site, installed oil fences, and used absorbent pads to prevent further leakage. Yecheon County Office later conducted soil and water quality analyses, confirming no additional contamination occurred and concluding the exercise successfully.
Major Lee Joo Heon, commander of the 16FW Supply Battalion and the exercise’s planner emphasized the importance of swift initial responses to oil spills, stating, “The Air Force uses large amounts of fuel to carry out air operations, making prompt initial containment measures critical in case of an accident. We will continue to maintain and enhance close cooperation with related agencies through realistic training.”
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