COVID-19 Infections in Cheonghae Unit... Possible Return as Early as Next Week

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The 34th deployment troops of the Cheonghae Unit will return home early. The plan is to repatriate all 34th deployment troops regardless of whether they test positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 16th, a military official said, “We are currently conducting necessary consultations for the operation of an Air Force transport aircraft through the local embassy of the African coastal country where the Munmu the Great ship is stationed, and there is a high possibility of returning as early as next week.”

All 300 crew members of the 34th Munmu the Great ship (4,400 tons) of the Cheonghae Unit have not been vaccinated, and since there are many enclosed spaces and ventilation facilities are connected, there are concerns about a rapid spread of COVID-19, leading the government to take swift measures.

The military also plans to transport essential personnel required to operate the Munmu the Great ship back to Korea by transport aircraft. The Munmu the Great ship was originally scheduled to be relieved mid-August by the 35th Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer (KDX-II, 4,400 tons), which departed last month, and then return home.

Meanwhile, it is reported that two 'KC-330' multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft are likely to be deployed. The Air Force introduced the first KC-330 in January 2019 to perform missions such as fighter refueling, transporting citizens during overseas disasters and emergencies, transporting cargo and troops for overseas deployed units, and supporting international peacekeeping activities, and currently operates four units.

With a wingspan of 60.3m, length of 58.8m, and height of 17.4m, except for the fuel tanks and refueling devices at the rear, the rest is identical to a passenger aircraft, capable of transporting up to about 300 personnel and 47 tons of cargo. Its maximum speed is Mach 0.86, maximum cruising altitude is about 12,600m, and maximum range is approximately 15,320km.

In July last year, two KC-330 aircraft were also used for special transport of about 290 dispatched workers wishing to return from Iraq, where COVID-19 was spreading.

On the Munmu the Great ship, following six crew members testing positive for COVID-19 the previous day, about 80 symptomatic individuals are in cohort isolation, and with all personnel unvaccinated, concerns about a large-scale group infection are being raised.