A Republic of Korea Air Force T-50B used for the Black Eagles Aerobatic Team sits on the flight line at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. The team is scheduled to give an aerial demonstration at this weekend's Air Power Day event at Osan. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A Republic of Korea Air Force T-50B used for the Black Eagles Aerobatic Team sits on the flight line at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. The team is scheduled to give an aerial demonstration at this weekend's Air Power Day event at Osan. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
The Republic of Korea's Black Eagles Aerobatic Team is scheduled to give an aerial demonstration at this weekend's Air Power Day event at Osan Air Base. The team completed some practice runs over the air base on Oct. 18, 2012, in preparation for the upcoming show. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A helmet for Black Eagles team member eight sits atop the side of an open canopy of a T-50B at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A maintenance crewmember of the Republic of Korea Air Force inspects an engine turbine by placing his head inside the air intake of a Black Eagles T-50B at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. The aerial demonstration team is expected to perform at this weekend's Osan Air Power Day 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles pilot climbs into his T-50B in preparation of a practice air demonstration at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. The demonstration team is expected to perform at Osan Power Day 2012 this weekend. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles pilot starts his T-50B for a practice air demonstration at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A Black Eagles pilot in his T-50B gives a thumbs-up to a Republic of Korea Air Force ground personnel at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A Black Eagles pilot in his T-50B waves to a Republic of Korea Air Force ground personnel at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
The aerobatic team of eight Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles leaves a trailing white smoke behind during a practice aerial demonstration over Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Oct. 18, 2012. The aerial demonstration team is expected to perform at this weekend's Osan Air Power Day 2012 event. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
The Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles aerobatic team of eight flies upward as a group during a practice run Thursday over Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. Earlier this year, the team performed the Royal Air Force Waddington International Air Show, its first show outside of South Korea. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
A pair of Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles fly alongside each other to present a top and bottom view during practice aerial demonstration at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
Five Black Eagles complete a sharp turn, with trailing white smoke, during a practice aerial demonstration at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
South Korean T-50B Black Eagles filled the skies over Osan Air Base on Oct. 18, 2012, during a practice aerial demonstration. The team is expected to give a demonstration this weekend at the Osan Air Power Day 2012 event. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
Four Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles complete a turn during practice run at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles pass by each other during a practice aerial demonstration at Osan Air Base, South Korea on Oct. 18, 2012. The team will perform at this weekend's Osan Air Power Day 2012. (Armando R. Limon/Stars and Stripes)
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — The tightly bunched black-and-yellow jet fighters and their supersonic roar over Osan Air Base’s flight line gave onlookers an early taste of what to expect at Air Power Day this weekend.
South Korea’s Black Eagles were practicing Thursday, using Korea Aerospace Industries’ T-50B “Golden Eagle,” a trainer jet capable of Mach 1.5 speeds.
The Republic of Korea Air Force Aerobatic Team, 239th Special Squadron, is stationed at Wonju Air Base and will be a top draw on Osan’s program Saturday and Sunday.
“The Black Eagles are the only flying team in South Korea that specializes in air mobility,” said 1st Lt. Cha Yong Rok, a spokesman for the squadron. “The air show is mostly based on the combat skills of the pilots.”
Maj. Jeon Wook Cheon, a Black Eagles team leader, said the nine pilots, with one remaining on the ground, fly 20-25 air shows per year, with each performance lasting about 35 minutes, including a ground ceremony.
They normally fly high-ceiling air shows during good weather within South Korea but are in the works of planning one international performance a year. Their first came in June at Britain’s Royal Air Force Waddington International Air Show.
“Black Eagles mainly promotes the air force to the people in the nation,” Jeon said. “It especially encourages the strong air power of the air force. It also wants it be friendly with all the people in the nation.”
He particularly enjoys entertaining children.
“I think it is very honorable to give children hopes and dreams,” Jeon said.
The team was first formed as the Blue Sabers in the 1960s, flying U.S.-made F-86 Saber jets.
They later switched to F-5A Freedom Fighters and became the Black Eagles in 1967, Cha said.
