[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] The Scene of the First Overseas Mission of the Air Refueling Aircraft

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] Our Air Force participated for the first time this year in the Indo-Pacific regional joint air force exercise "Pitch Black" by conducting its own aerial refueling.

According to military authorities on the 26th, the Air Force plans to send six KF-16 fighter jets and one KC-330 multi-purpose aerial refueling transport aircraft to the Pitch Black exercise held from the 29th to the 7th of next month at Darwin and Amberley bases in Australia.

This is the first time our Air Force has carried out overseas missions by directly performing aerial refueling using the KC-330. Until now, our military fighters have relied on U.S. military aerial refueling aircraft when conducting missions abroad.

“Pitch Black” is organized by the Royal Australian Air Force and is held once every two years. This year, 11 countries including South Korea, Australia, the United States, and Japan are participating.