Thursday, February 25, 2016
THE squadron commander of South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatics team yesterday expressed the team’s desire to perform in Brunei.
Lt Col Lim Han Il, squadron commander of the 53rd Air Demonstration Group, said that given the opportunity, the Black Eagles would love to give an aerobatic display here as a token of appreciation for the support and hospitality they received from the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) during their current trip.
“There was talk amongst us (Black Eagles team) even before we left for the Singapore Airshow 2016 that it would be fantastic to be able to perform for the public in Brunei and I hope that in the near future, we will have the opportunity to do so,” he said.
He also thanked his Bruneian counterparts for the warm hospitality and support given to his team.
Col (U) Mohd Sharif Dato Paduka Hj Ibrahim (L) receiving a token of appreciation from Lt Col Lim Han Il (R), squadron commander of South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatics team. Picture: BT/Ridhwan Kamarulzaman
Col (U) Mohd Sharif Dato Paduka Hj Ibrahim of the RBAF said that chances are high the Black Eagles will be able to perform in Brunei.
“In the past, the Red Arrows (of the UK Royal Air Force) were here to perform for the public but such displays require a lot of logistics work and clearances before it can happen,” Col (U) Mohd Sharif said.
“The aerobatics team also has to arrive a bit earlier to rehearse because every time they perform at a new location, they need to do a proper check of the area for obstacles and make sure the timing of the displays do not interfere with the schedules of civil air traffic,” he said.
Responding to the question of timeframe on when the team might do a show for Brunei Col (U) Mohd Sharif said that he estimated it to be sometime within the next five years.
“It is probably around that time frame (five years) as that ... would also tie in with their next visit to the Singapore Airshow in two years’ time so I am optimistic that we will see the Black Eagles perform a display in Brunei in the future,” he said.
The Brunei Times
