Fearless Air Force special warfare troops hurled themselves out of a C-130 military plane at an altitude of about 500 meters as part of their five-day biannual exercise that began in Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province, on Monday.

Wearing safety and combat equipment weighing more than 40 kilograms, 23 soldiers of the Combat Control Team belonging to the 5th Tactical Airlift Wing safely landed one by one in the mountainous training area.

The troops, known for their red berets, then began their primary wartime operations ― securing enemy areas before friendly forces arrive.

“Through such tough training, we ensure that we are battle-ready. We are confident that our troops, mentally and physically stronger than ever, can defeat any enemy forces when they provoke,” Chief Master Sergeant Chang Tae-young said.

The Air Force created the small yet strong CCT in 1978 as special troops who would help military aircraft safely fly into enemy areas and accurately drop airborne troops, supplies and other material.

During wartime, the CCT troops would be the first to enter enemy areas to secure them before friendly forces arrive to stage military operations. Their role also includes helping guide fighter jets so they can accurately shoot enemy targets.

CCT members receive intensive training in a variety of military skills necessary for low- and high-altitude drops, maritime, air and land-based infiltrations, military communications, weather forecasting and the destruction of enemy facilities.

“To become a CCT member, one must complete one year of training in the Air Force and another one year of training from special warfare troops in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps,” said Chief Master Sergeant Lee Hyung-gon.

“Even after they complete two years of training, they must participate in a variety of grueling exercises. We are all determined to endure such training, and through it, we are trying to maintain high readiness.”

CCT members have been deployed overseas several times to carry out guard missions. They were dispatched to East Timor in 2000 to assist South Korean troops who were operating as part of multinational peacekeeping forces. In 2005, they were sent to Kuwait to help support guard and anti-terror missions.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)