Army names top helicopter gunners

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- A 42-year-old warrant officer was Monday named South
Korea's "top helicopter pilot" of the year, an annual award given by the
president, the Army said.
Yang Sung-jin, a pilot for the AH-1S attack helicopter, came on top in a recent
competition that sought to find the Army's "Top Heligun," an equivalent of the
Air Force's Top Gun, according to the Army.
Yang outperformed his peers in the competition that tested long range firing
skills, as well as air-to-surface combat capabilities with 2.75-inch rocket guns,
it said. The contest was initiated in 1999 by the then defense minister, but was
upgraded to a presidential competition in 2002.
"I will continue to train to be a pilot who can bring fear to the enemy and
confidence to our people," Yang was quoted as saying.
In group competition, the 109th Battalion came on top for AH-1S helicopters while
515th Aviation Battalion grabbed the top prize for 500MD, the Army said.
brk@yna.co.kr