Korean Information Service,
The Korean Air Force selected Captain Lee Woo-beam, 29, as the “Top Gun” for this year, the highest honor bestowed to combat pilots.
Lee, KF-16 pilot for the 19th Fighter Wing based in Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province), is the youngest pilot to win the honor.
He gained attention after winning an award at this year’s Boramae Aerial Marksmanship Contest from Oct. 17-25. Lee flew 1,000 km per hour (Mach 0.9) at an altitude of 7km, firing bombs toward a target 1.5 meters in diameter on the ground. He scored 908 out of 1,000 — 114 points above his closest rival.
The Boramae Aerial Marksmanship Contest began in 1960 and evaluates combat pilots’ bombing, reconnaissance, airdrop and rescue abilities. About 300 pilots from some 30 squadrons participated in team and individual competitions.
“I still can’t believe I was named a Top Gun,” Lee said at the award ceremony held at the Air Force headquarters in Daebang-dong, Seoul. “I’ll do my best to live up to the title.”
Lee’s marksmanship talent has been evident since he was young. He won a gold medal for archery during elementary school among other athletic trophies.
“For those who ride fighter jets like the KF-16, you have to make a thorough study of it,” said Major Huh Geun-ho, Lee’s trainer and the 2004 Top Gun award winner, explaining how hard Lee trained.
Lee belongs to the No.155 squadron which is already famous for being selected best squadron five times and for producing two other top guns.
Lee has flown 402 mission-hours in the KF-16 since 2004. He previously flew an F-5E/F fighter.
