Air Force personnel raise a Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile launcher during a training demonstration at Air Force Unit 8146, Wednesday. The interceptor system is part of Korea’s multilayered missile defense network against ballistic missile threats. Joint Press Corps
SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province — Sirens echoed as members of an Air Force missile defense unit rushed toward Cheongung-II launchers during a simulated ballistic missile interception drill, Wednesday.
As the warning sounded, soldiers quickly moved into position around the launch vehicles, activating power systems and checking equipment status.
Inside the control center, personnel relayed simulated alerts based on a North Korean ballistic missile launch scenario, while troops repeated procedures they appeared to know by heart.
The Air Force opened the missile defense site to reporters this week as part of a media tour at Sacheon Air Base, offering a rare look inside one of the military’s frontline missile defense units.
The Cheongung-II system, also known as KM-SAM Block II, is one of the key components of Korea’s multilayered missile defense network designed to detect, track and intercept incoming ballistic missile threats.
Even while troops moved around the launchers, interception procedures continued inside the system.
Under normal conditions, the interceptors remain in standby mode and disconnected from power sources. Once electricity is supplied and remote-control procedures are completed, however, the system can shift into combat-ready status within minutes.
“Moving from the lowest readiness condition to the highest stage takes roughly 10 minutes,” a high-ranking Air Force officer said during the tour.
“If there are signs of possible threat, we move much faster.”
Source: Korea Times News
