The Engineering Battalion of the Republic of Korea Naval Air Command conducted a runway damage recovery exercise. Held at the unit’s damage recovery training site, the exercise aimed to strengthen rapid runway recovery capabilities for Pohang Airport, which is jointly used by civilian, military, and government agencies, ensuring uninterrupted air operations. More than 50 personnel and 10 heavy equipment units were mobilized for the training.
The exercise simulated an enemy attack that damaged the runway. Upon recognizing the situation, the Naval Air Command immediately deployed the runway recovery team’s engineering unit to assess the extent of the damage and establish a Minimum Operation Strip (MOS). The MOS refers to the minimum runway length required for aircraft takeoff and landing, determined based on aircraft type, mission, and runway damage extent to facilitate the fastest possible restoration.
The recovery team utilized track loaders and excavators to cut and excavate craters as part of initial restoration efforts. The transport and placement teams then applied flowable fill material, a key runway repair substance, followed by the rapid-setting concrete pour, successfully restoring the runway to ensure safe aircraft takeoff and landing.
Lieutenant Commander Choi Young Hwan, commander of the Engineering Battalion, emphasized, “Runway damage recovery training is essential for quickly restoring runways during emergencies to maintain continuous air operations.” He added, “We will continue to enhance our operational capabilities to ensure perfect air operation support.”
As the Republic of Korea Navy’s sole maritime air operations unit, Naval Air Command plans to continue joint training with related agencies to further enhance its ability to restore damaged runways rapidly and accurately.
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