STATUS OF U.S. APPROVAL FOR ROK TO TRAIN U.A.E.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002114 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/K AND PM/RSAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014 TAGS: PARM PREL MARR PGOV KS SUBJECT: STATUS OF U.S. APPROVAL FOR ROK TO TRAIN U.A.E. F-16 PILOTS Classified By: A/POL Sung Y. Kim. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. ¶2. (C) In a June 26 meeting with poloffs, MND Americas Policy Division Assistant Director Kong Pyung Won inquired on the status of a ROKG request for the USG's permission for the ROK Air Force to train U.A.E. F-16 pilots in Korea. Kong said the request had been conveyed directly to PM/RSAT in a March 15 letter (text in para 3). He asked for an expeditious consideration of the request. ¶3. (C) Begin text of MND letter: March 15, 2006 David Quinn Deputy Director, DOS/PM-RSAT United States of America Dear Mr. Quinn, I would first like to express my gratitude to the effort of the U.S. Department of State to maintain the ROK-U.S. Alliance as a model partnership in the international community. We are well aware of the fact that behind the success of the Republic of Korea, rising from the rubles of war to become the 11th economic power house, was the assiduous support of the United States. Under this context, I hope for the ROK-U.S. to continue its maintenance of a mutually trusting partnership. I have been briefed that a written approval by the United States is required for the consignment training of U.A.E. F-16 pilots in Korea, which is being pursued by ROK Air Force. Therefore, I formally request on behalf of the Republic of Korea Government for the approval of the request made by our Air Force in accordance with the related MOU. I firmly believe that your positive response will contribute to our common national interest which has its foundation in the expansion of the free market economy and democracy. Although I believe you might have already received them, I have attached the materials you requested to ROKAF. I greatly appreciate your cooperation. Best Regards, Kim, Kyou-hyun Director-General International Defense Policy Bureau End text. ¶4. (C) Begin Text of MND attachment: Headquarters Republic of Korea Air Force Daejon, Korea Deputy Director, DOS/PM-RSAT SUBJECT: Request for Consent for Participation of U.A.E. Pilots in F-16 Flight Training. ¶1. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your continuous efforts to enhance ROK-U.S. combat capability. And I request your written consent for the participation of U.A.E. pilots in F-16 (Block 52) flight training in Korea. ¶2. For your information, Command of U.A.E. Air Force has requested the participation of U.A.E. pilots in F-16 flight training while his visit to Korea in Feb. 2005 and as a result ROKAF is planning to operate two training per year and for each training we will invite 2 pilots from U.A.E. Air Force. ¶3. Flight training for U.A.E. pilots will include the basic F-16 transition and CRT. The training plan is as follows. (See Attachment for Syllabus) a. Period: 27 Weeks in total (Academics: 7 weeks, Flight training 20 weeks) b. Sortie/Time: 43 sorties for each pilot/ 50.3 hours (KF-16D only) c. Tactics to be applied in Flight training (Basic tactics) -- Air-to-Air: AIM-9, AIM-120 applied for 2 vs 1-2 intercept tactics and etc... -- Air-to-Surface: low/medium altitude tactics using BDU-33 and MK-82D and etc... d. Application of F-16 System: basic level of usage for transition and CRT. ¶4. ROKAF is planning to provide the F-16 training to U.A.E. pilots in accordance with "Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Defense of the Government of the United States of America and the Ministry of National Defense of the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning the F-16 Aircraft Korean Fighter Program, article 7-4 (Aug. 1991)." This training will begin in 2006 with written consent from USG. ¶5. For this reason, I would like to cordially request your written consent for mutual understanding in provision of U.A.E. pilots participation in F-16 flight training. ¶6. Once again, I would like to thank you for your continuous efforts to improve ROK-U.S. combat capability. Sincerely yours. End text. ¶5. (C) Action Request: We would appreciate an update on the status of PM/RSAT's consideration of the ROK request. VERSHBOW