[Defense Contribution] The Naval Aviation Command to Be Established in July

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom] The Navy Aviation Command will be established in July. The establishment of the Navy Aviation Command has been actively pursued since 2013 and will prominently feature six P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and twelve MH-60R next-generation maritime operational helicopters, which are about to be introduced.

The Navy began acquiring seven S-2A/F maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Air Force on January 7, 1976, and further procured 20 S-2E aircraft, enabling the development of the Fleet Aviation Group in 1977.

On August 13, 1983, the Fleet Aviation Group gained widespread recognition for the importance of its operational power by sinking a spy ship in the East Sea using Alouette III maritime operational helicopters.

The 6th Aviation Brigade was established through expansion and reorganization in 1986. Shortly after its formation, based on the achievements of the Alouette III, the brigade was able to introduce new Lynx maritime operational helicopters. Additionally, it established its own pilot training system and expanded the Pohang base.

Since 1987, the U.S. Navy proposed holding regular Korea-U.S. Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Conferences, and the introduction of new maritime patrol aircraft began to strengthen joint operational capabilities. This was the Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, with the first unit acquired in April 1995 and eight units fully introduced by January 1996. Between 1999 and 2000, the second batch of 13 Lynx maritime operational helicopters was introduced, and in 2010, eight additional P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft were added, leading to the current status.

The Navy Aviation Command, to be established this summer, faces the challenge of seeking new directions ahead of operating aircraft carriers in the 2030s.

The operation of the new jet-engine P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which differs from the existing turboprop maritime patrol aircraft, and the successful induction of the MH-60R Seahawk series maritime operational helicopters, awaited for 30 years, must be carried out without setbacks. The establishment of the Navy Aviation Command coincides with the timing of introducing these new forces.

Recently, due to defense reform and changes in the battlefield environment, the Air Force has promoted the establishment of a Space Command and reorganized into a Missile Defense Command. Alongside this, the Navy is establishing the Navy Aviation Command, and the Marine Corps is launching an Aviation Group, showing significant changes.

However, some commands have been downsized. In December 2021, the Army’s Aviation Operations Command changed its commander rank from lieutenant general to major general and was renamed the Aviation Command. Although this was part of a mechanized force reorganization and not an actual reduction, the Aviation Operations Command, established in 1999, lost its original name after about 20 years.

It is no exaggeration to say that the direction of military structural reform looking toward the 2030s is centered on the Navy and Air Force. Efficient operational management is anticipated in the future.