[Military Story] 'The Sleepless' KF-16 Pilot, Arrives in Seoul Within 4 Minutes of Takeoff

Visit to Air Force Seosan Air Base Stationed with KF-16
Four Fighter Pilots on Standby for Emergency Sorties

In June 2022, the Republic of Korea Air Force conducted its largest-ever solo aerial exercise called the ‘Soaring Eagle’ exercise. This training, revealed to the public for the first time in five years since 2017, involved over 70 aircraft from 19 units, including the 5th generation F-35A stealth fighter jets. There was also a notable fighter jet present: the latest variant of the KF-16, known as the KF-16 U (short for Upgrade). Unlike the KF-16C (single-seat) and KF-16D (two-seat) models equipped with mechanical radars, the KF-16U is being upgraded with a new AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. Additionally, it can now carry the GBU-39 SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) smart bombs, which were previously only compatible with the Korean Air Force’s mainstay F-15K, effectively upgrading it from a 4th generation to a 4.5 generation fighter. To witness the air power armed with these state-of-the-art fighters, we visited the 20th Fighter Wing (20 Jeonbi) located in Seosan City, Chungcheongnam-do.

Maintenance technicians working at the 20th Fighter Wing are managed through the Individual Maintenance Qualification Control (IMQC) system. (Photo by the Air Force)

Pilots of fighter jets on standby must complete takeoff within 8 minutes upon receiving the sortie order. (Photo by Air Force)

The distance from the 20th Fighter Wing to Seoul is 60 km, but it takes 4 minutes to take off, and Yeonpyeong Island must be reached within 7 minutes. (Photo by Air Force)

In the second half of this year’s South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise, ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ (UFS), the true value of the KF-16 shone even brighter. (Photo by Air Force)

Upon entering the air force base, it was surprisingly quiet given its size. The 20 Jeonbi is the largest in the country, covering an area four times that of Yeouido. Even traveling by car, the base seemed endless. As we approached the runway, rows of outdoor hangars (igloos) lined both sides. Inside these igloos, the main fighter jet of the 20 Jeonbi, the KF-16, proudly stood. The 20 Jeonbi operates over 80 KF-16s. The KF-16 is a ‘domestically produced fighter’ manufactured in South Korea by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) under license from the original developer, Lockheed Martin in the United States. Although it is not a fully indigenous aircraft like the KF-21 Boramae, which was developed and produced entirely in Korea, it embodies the blood and sweat of Korean engineers. It is similar to the T-50 series aircraft, which are also produced domestically with Lockheed Martin’s support and are considered ‘domestic fighters.’ The KF-16 is a single-engine fighter with a length of 15.06 meters, a wingspan of 9.96 meters, and a height of 4.88 meters. The Air Force operates both the single-seat KF-16C and the two-seat KF-16D models simultaneously.

Waiting in G-Suits for Fighter Jet Piloting

Entering a small door next to the igloo, we found four fighter pilots waiting for emergency scramble. The pilots were wearing survival vests and G-suits (Anti-G suits). The gravitational load felt by ordinary people standing on the ground is 1G, and the force experienced on fast amusement rides like the Viking ride is about 2G. However, fighter pilots must endure up to 9G of force in the air. During sharp turns or rapid movements in horizontal and vertical directions, pilots can experience pressures up to 11G, which is 11 times the force of gravity. This is a moment when pilots can lose consciousness. To prevent this, pilots wear G-suits.

At the 20 Jeonbi, four pilots stand by for emergency scramble during the day, and eight at night. The emergency scramble room is a place that never sleeps. Pilots waiting here must complete takeoff within 8 minutes of receiving the scramble order. Considering that during peacetime training, takeoff usually takes about 30 minutes, this is a significant reduction in time. The distance from the 20 Jeonbi to Seoul is 60 km, but once airborne, pilots must reach Seoul within 4 minutes and Yeonpyeong Island within 7 minutes.

Dispatch to the East Sea to Counter Chinese and Russian Fighters

Major So-yong said, “The operational area of the 20 Jeonbi includes the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea and the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), so it is a place where tension cannot be relaxed,” and added, “60% of the pilots are qualified for aerial refueling, enabling them to carry out long-duration air missions.” In fact, when Chinese and Russian fighters appear near the KADIZ, flights are sometimes dispatched to the East Sea to provide support.

The KF-16s stationed inside the igloos were on standby with air-to-air missiles mounted and fully fueled, unlike other fighters. Helmets and other gear were placed in the cockpits, ready for takeoff within seconds. The KF-16U can carry the GBU-39 SDB smart bombs, which older KF-16s could not. The GBU-39 SDB is a medium-range GPS-guided bomb capable of precision strikes on targets up to 110 km away. Additionally, it can launch JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions), GPS-guided bombs capable of penetrating 90 cm thick concrete. These weapons are expected to be heavily utilized for precision strikes on North Korean nuclear and missile bases in emergencies. The front part of the fighter also had a different color, indicating it was an upgraded model. Modifications include the new AESA radar, a new mission computer, cockpit display systems, and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment.

24-Hour Real Flight Training by Five Wings

In the second half of this year’s South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise ‘Ulchi Freedom Shield’ (UFS), the true value of the KF-16 shone even brighter. Air Force units conducted over 80 outdoor field training exercises (FTX), including day and night Defensive Counter Air (DCA), Air Intercept (AI), and Airborne Intercept (X-INT) training. During these exercises, the KF-16 conducted 24-hour real flight training. This was the first time that five air wings (three Korean and two U.S.) participated in 24-hour real flight training together.

Military officials unanimously credited not only the fighter pilots but also the maintenance crews for this achievement. They explained that thorough maintenance was essential due to the extended duration of the training. Kim Young-gil, a master aircraft maintenance technician, said, “When fighters fly continuously for 24 hours, maintenance demands inevitably increase. To maintain normal operational rates, the maintenance technicians’ skills must be guaranteed.”

Inside the main hangar, six KF-16 fighters were being meticulously maintained on-site. Due to the high flight frequency, maintenance demands were also high. Maintenance personnel were busy at work in the maintenance hangar that day. Maintenance technicians at the 20 Jeonbi are managed through an Individual Maintenance Quality Control (IMQC) system. All maintenance personnel hold certifications such as aircraft maintenance technician or engineer licenses. On the way out of the base, we were fortunate to witness the takeoff of a KF-21. The KF-21 is a Korean-made fighter currently under system development, aiming for its first introduction in 2026. It was undergoing testing and evaluation.

A military official said, “Each wing has its main fighter jets, but in cases of emergency landings or mission completion, maintenance technicians from different wings exchange knowledge to ensure maintenance can be performed.”