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| Air Force Maj. Bang Ju-won of the 11th Fighter Wing poses in front of an F-15K. Courtesy of ROK Air Force |
By Kang Seung-woo
Air Force Maj. Bang Ju-won from the 110th Fighter Squadron of the 11th Fighter Wing ― home to the F-15K Slam Eagles ― has been named the "Best Pilot of 2021," according to the military branch.
The Air Force said it held an award ceremony, presided over by its Chief of Staff Gen. Park In-ho at its headquarters in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, Friday.
The award is given to an aviator who accumulates the top records in more than 20 duties including flying hours, participation in operations and physical fitness in the span of one year. The 36-year-old earned a score of 849.6 out of a possible 1,000 for the achievement.
Bang, who decided to become a pilot after watching "Top Gun," was commissioned in 2008 and flew a KF-16 until 2011. Since 2012, he has logged over 2,100 hours flying an F-15K.
During his career, Bang has participated in multinational combined exercises on multiple occasions, including commanding a squadron in its 10-hour non-stop flight over the Pacific Ocean for the Red Flag Alaska with U.S. and other allied air forces.
In addition, the pilot has also scrambled his jet to warn away neighboring countries' aircraft that entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone.
"It has been an honor to get chances to raise the nation's and the Air Force's status after participating in key multinational operations as an Air Force pilot and the award is adding to the joy," Bang said.
"I give credit for the achievement to my colleagues and other pilots."
Along with the Best Pilot award, the Air Force has also awarded its pilots for their stellar performance in an annual three-section live-firing contest, in which the top scorer is named the Top Gun.
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