Air Force Officer, One of Only Three Certificate Holders in South Korea

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] An Air Force non-commissioned officer has obtained the 'International Aerospace Engineering Professional Engineer' certification. The International Aerospace Engineering Professional Engineer is regarded as the highest qualification in the field of aerospace engineering, and only three people in Korea hold this certification.

The protagonist is Chief Warrant Officer Choi Dong-in (45, 101st Warrant Officer Class) of the Air Force Logistics Command's Aviation Resource Management Unit. The International Aerospace Engineering Professional Engineer certification obtained by Chief Warrant Officer Choi is an internationally recognized qualification created by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) to facilitate smooth technology and personnel exchange between countries. Upon obtaining it, one can perform aircraft engine design and research and development tasks in IEA member countries.

Commissioned in 1993, Chief Warrant Officer Choi has been engaged in aircraft engine maintenance work to date. Since 2006, he has worked as a weapons system expert responsible for technical support and management of Air Force fighter jet engines such as the F-15K and KF-16. He explained that while performing aircraft engine maintenance duties, he developed a dream of "directly developing aircraft engines with Korea's technology and capabilities."

To achieve this, in 2013, he became the first in the Air Force to simultaneously obtain the certifications of Aircraft Mechanic Professional Engineer and Metal Materials Technician, and he was selected three times as the Air Force's 'Best and Excellent Weapons System Expert.'

Chief Warrant Officer Choi said, "I am grateful to the seniors, juniors, and colleagues who are passionately dedicating themselves day and night on-site for weapons system management even at this moment," and added, "I will continue to pursue self-development without being satisfied with the present to contribute to the advancement of the Air Force's aircraft engine field."