To mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, descendants of key figures from the 'Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Flight School' visited the Air Force Academy and fighter wings.
The Air Force and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs have officially invited the descendants of those involved with the Provisional Government Flight School for a five-day program running through August 16. Most of these descendants, who primarily reside in the United States, will spend the week witnessing the advancements of the Republic of Korea Air Force firsthand, and will also tour the Air Force Academy and observe the flight training curriculum at the 1st Fighter Wing.
The event has invited about 20 family members and descendants of nine aviation independence activists, including General Noh Baekrin, the Chief of Military Affairs who led the establishment of the flight school; Kim Jongrim, who provided significant financial support; Lee Jaesu, who managed the school's finances and operations; and Korean aviators Oh Imha, Lee Yongseon, Lee Cho, Jang Byeonghun, Han Jangho, and Park Heeseong.
In addition, over 10 members of 'Gil', a U.S.-based nonprofit organization established to commemorate the achievements of Korean independence activists in America, have also traveled to Korea to participate in parts of the program. This organization was founded under the leadership of Im Inja, the grandniece of Park Heeseong. Park Heeseong, along with Lee Yonggeun, was appointed as an Army Flight Second Lieutenant by the Provisional Government in July 1921, becoming one of Korea's first flight officers.
The Provisional Government Flight School, also known as the Willows Flight School, was established in 1920 in the small town of Willows in northern California, thanks to the efforts of the Provisional Government and the Korean American community following the March 1st Movement in 1919.
The descendants began their official schedule on August 12 with a visit to the Daejeon National Cemetery, where their ancestors are buried. Afterwards, they visited the Air Force Academy, which trains elite Air Force officers, where they received an overview of its education and training systems and toured the campus facilities. The descendants also visited the 212th Flight Training Squadron, where student pilots undergo flight training, to encourage the cadets and hold a discussion session.
On this day, the descendants will also visit the 1st Fighter Wing, which operates the Air Force’s advanced flight training program, to receive a briefing on the unit and meet with student pilots. On the morning of Liberation Day, they will attend the '80th Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration' hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
In the afternoon of Liberation Day, ceremonial first pitch and batting events are scheduled at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium during a professional baseball game. Before the opening game of the weekend series between the Kia Tigers and the Doosan Bears, Noh Youngtak (88), grandson of General Noh Baekrin, will throw the ceremonial first pitch, while Im Inja (69), grandniece of Park Heeseong, will take the ceremonial first bat. On the final day, August 16, the group will tour the National Aviation Museum of Korea and Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park.
Kim Kwonhee, Director of Public Affairs at the Air Force Headquarters, stated, "The spirit of the aviation pioneers from the Provisional Government Flight School, who strove to build air power and fight for the liberation of our homeland, still lives on in the hearts of Republic of Korea Air Force personnel today. We are honored to be able to show their descendants the progress and formidable strength of the modern Republic of Korea Air Force."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
