Air Force Pilot Couple to Participate Together in Overseas Joint Training for the First Time

Major Yoon Haerim to Cross the Pacific in a KF-16
First Air Force Pilot Couple to Join "Red Flag-Alaska" Together

For the first time in history, an Air Force pilot couple will participate together in an overseas joint training exercise.

On May 20, the Air Force announced that from June 12 to 27, Major Kang Myungjin (Air Force Academy Class of 59, age 38) and Major Yoon Haerim (Air Force Academy Class of 60, age 37), who are married pilots, will take part together in "Red Flag-Alaska," a multinational joint air combat exercise hosted by the United States Pacific Air Forces.

Both Major Kang and Major Yoon are veteran pilots with over 1,500 flight hours each. Currently, Major Kang serves as the flight commander of the 162nd Fighter Squadron, and Major Yoon serves as the deputy flight commander of the 161st Fighter Squadron, both under the 19th Fighter Wing.

In early June, Major Kang will travel to the exercise site with other participants aboard a KC-330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft. Major Yoon, selected as a ferry pilot, will personally fly a KF-16 fighter jet across the Pacific. Notably, Major Yoon will receive aerial refueling from the KC-330 and is scheduled to complete a nonstop flight of approximately nine hours to arrive at Eielson Air Force Base in the United States.

During this exercise, Major Kang is responsible for the overall planning and management of the entire operation. Major Yoon will serve as the deputy leader of the deployment and return team, handling emergency response and coordination with alternate bases. In particular, this marks the first time a female pilot has performed a ferry mission for an overseas joint exercise.

This participation is also a significant challenge for the couple in another sense. The issue was their two-year-old son, whom they will have to leave at home for five weeks. To help with childcare, both sets of parents, grandparents, and even Major Yoon’s aunt are expected to assist.

Meanwhile, the couple first met as senior and junior cadets at the Air Force Academy, with their relationship beginning thanks to Major Kang’s active expression of interest. After being commissioned, they served together at the Chungju base, decided to marry after seven years of dating, and tied the knot in 2015.

Two years ago, the birth of their son brought a new challenge. Childcare proved difficult for the couple to manage alone. In particular, as fighter pilots, they are required to perform night flights and emergency standby duties, often necessitating changes to their flight schedules to balance parenting. They expressed deep gratitude to their fellow pilots who willingly adjust their schedules to help.

Currently, since Major Kang holds the important position of flight commander, Major Yoon is dedicating more time to childcare. Because it is difficult for her to manage alone, her own parents are also helping. Major Kang stated, "If my wife takes on a major role in the future, I think I will need to spend more time with our son."

Major Kang said, "Being able to perform fighter pilot duties together as a couple creates great synergy for both our mission and our family," adding, "It is deeply rewarding to defend the front lines of our airspace together with my wife." Major Yoon expressed, "I am always grateful to my husband for supporting my life as a fighter pilot up close. Going forward, I hope to continue safeguarding Korea’s airspace together as good partners and fellow pilots."