The Air Force reported on the 19th that it collected two Gun Pods that had fallen from an aircraft during a night training exercise the previous day.
Gun Pods are machine gun devices that are externally mounted on aircraft such as fighter jets or helicopters to enhance aerial firepower.
The Air Force deployed one HH-60 helicopter and about 270 personnel in the mountainous area of Juchun-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, to collect the two Gun Pods starting at 6 a.m. that day.
The Air Force explained, "It is raining at the site, so considering safety, the search and recovery operation for the remaining dropped items, such as fuel tanks, will continue tomorrow."
Earlier, around 7:54 p.m. the previous day, a KA-1 air control attack aircraft belonging to the Air Force's Wonju base took off and, while conducting a night simulated shooting training in the airspace over Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, an accident occurred involving the dropping of two Gun Pods and two empty external fuel tanks.
The Air Force is investigating the circumstances by forming an accident investigation committee chaired by the Chief of Staff. As of now, no civilian casualties have been confirmed.
The Air Force conveyed, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to the public once again due to this incident."