Gwangju Air Force Base Displaced by Semiconductor Cluster... Where Will It Go? [Yang Nakkyu's Defence Club]

Referred to as the "Cradle of Fighter Pilots" at Gwangju Air Base

Considering Dispersed Relocation to Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju Fighter Wings

The functions of the Gwangju military airbase will be temporarily relocated to other military airbases by mid-2028. Although there had been consideration of moving the entire Gwangju airbase to a new site in Muan at once, the atmosphere has changed since the site was designated as the location for the 'Honam Semiconductor Cluster.'

Yonhap News Agency

According to a government official on August 11, President Lee Jaemyung instructed the previous day that "the functions of the Gwangju base should be temporarily relocated to other military airbases by mid-2028." In response, the military is reportedly considering splitting the 1st Fighter Wing into three squadrons and relocating each squadron to different regions.

The Gwangju military airbase is an air force base used by the 1st Fighter Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force. Since settling at the current Gwangju base in 1966, it has served as a site for advanced flight training to cultivate fighter pilots and to carry out missions to defend the airspace over the southwestern region. Aircraft such as the T-50 advanced trainer and the domestically developed TA-50 Block 2 light attack jet are stationed there.

Advanced Flight Training for Fighter Pilots

The base conducts the final stage of the pilot training program, known as advanced flight training, which follows the introductory and basic courses. After completing the advanced flight training, reserve fighter pilots, who have been assigned to combat missions, practice tactical flight and weapons operation in the 'tactical introduction course' held at the Gwangju base before being assigned to their respective units. For this reason, the Gwangju base is referred to as the "cradle of fighter pilots," producing elite ROK Air Force fighter pilots.

Under the 1st Fighter Wing are two flight training squadrons—the 189th and 216th—and three additional squadrons, including the 206th Fighter Squadron. Of these, the two flight training squadrons operate the T-50 advanced trainer and have been responsible for training fighter pilots, while the 206th Fighter Squadron operates the domestically developed TA-50 Block 2 light attack jet and is tasked with defending the airspace over the southwestern region. The 206th is one of the units that scramble when Chinese fighter jets illegally enter the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) in the southwest.

Dispersed Relocation to Three Major Squadrons Nationwide

Reportedly, there are ongoing discussions about relocating the three squadrons under the 1st Fighter Wing to three different airbases: the 16th Fighter Wing (Yecheon), the 20th Fighter Wing (Seosan), and the 19th Fighter Wing (Chungju).

However, the airbases that are to receive the functions of the 1st Fighter Wing will have to accommodate additional personnel and aircraft at the squadron level, even as they continue to use their existing hangars and runways, which could place additional burdens on operational environments. In particular, splitting the 1st Fighter Wing, which has been responsible for advanced flight training, among different bases could reduce efficiency as training simulators and support staff will also be dispersed, and insufficient flight opportunities at the new locations may disrupt the training of fighter pilots.

Concerns Raised About Budget and Realistic Air Force Issues

There are also concerns about budgetary issues resulting from the dispersed relocation. Although the president's directive has accelerated the relocation of units, it is reported that the Air Force's budget plans for next year do not properly reflect funding needed for unit relocation or facility expansion.

Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party criticized, "The idea from the Presidential Office that the site can be used earlier if the Air Force units are dispersed to other bases is nothing but armchair theory that in no way reflects the actual situation of our Air Force," in relation to the government's decision to designate the Gwangju military airbase as the site for the Honam Semiconductor Cluster.

The Gwangju military airbase is one of the Collocated Operating Bases (COB) jointly operated by the South Korean and U.S. Air Forces, where U.S. air combat forces deploy during contingencies. Currently, the U.S. 8th Munitions Squadron under the 8th Fighter Wing is stationed there. Although no U.S. operational unit is permanently based there during peacetime, U.S. air forces are deployed there during emergencies.

For this reason, authorities from both countries are reportedly conducting consultations regarding the relocation of Gwangju base. The United States Forces Korea commented, "We do not comment on host nation policy matters," adding, "United States Forces Korea remains committed to maintaining forces in Korea with immediate response capabilities, and we will continue to maintain a strong combined defense posture together with our allied forces."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.