The South Korean Air Force “Black Eagles” aerobatic team is scheduled to make a refueling stopover in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, later this week after performing at an aviation show in the Philippines, a source familiar with the matter told CNA Monday.
An unidentified number of the team’s T-50B trainers are expected to make a brief stop at Kaohsiung International Airport around 11 a.m. on Thursday for refueling purposes before taking off again to head back to South Korea at around 3 p.m. later that day, the source said.
Asked to comment, Taiwan’s military declined to give more details, saying only that it accommodates all foreign military aircraft stopover visits to the nation in accordance with existing rules.
The Republic of Korea Air Force aerobatic team has performed at national ceremonies on various occasions.
The permanent team was initially formed on Dec. 12, 1994, and flew six Cessna A-37B Dragonfly airplanes. The team disbanded temporarily after the 2007 Seoul Air Show and reformed upon the arrival of new T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft code-named as T-50B in 2010.
According to the Philippine military, the aerobatic team would perform over the Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga on Monday, highlighting the strong relations between the Philippines and South Korea.
The team has been performing over the skies of the United Kingdom, Poland, and Egypt as part of their world tour this year.
The last time the “Black Eagles” Aerobatic Team made a refueling stopover in Taiwan was in 2018 before attending the Singapore Airshow, according to the source.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel