'Starlight Science Expedition' draws 45 students, teachers and parents
North Jeolla Science Culture Hub and Air Force 38th Fighter Wing co-host event
Young people from North Jeolla Province visited an Air Force base to get an up-close look at a KF-16 fighter jet and explore career paths in the aerospace field.
The North Jeolla Science Culture Hub and the Air Force 38th Fighter Wing announced Friday that they had held an aerospace field exploration program for youth in the region.
A total of 45 people took part, including students and teachers from the Pureun Community Child Center in Namwon, as well as members, instructors and parents from the North Jeolla chapter of the Korea Aerospace Industries Youth Corps.
Participants first received a briefing on the 38th Fighter Wing's key missions and roles, then gathered around a KF-16 fighter jet for a closer look at its airframe structure, main functions and operational missions.
The program also gave participants a chance to observe the aircraft directly and ask Air Force personnel questions — going beyond a simple facility tour to let them experience how fighter jets are operated and what role the Air Force plays at an active base.
An official from the 38th Fighter Wing welcomed the group, saying, "Welcome to the mighty Air Force 38th Fighter Wing," before sharing how he first dreamed of becoming a pilot as a young person. "I hope this visit inspires you to work hard to make that dream a reality," the official added.
Lee Suk-hee, director of the Pureun Community Child Center in Namwon, said she was so excited about visiting the base with the children that she could not sleep the night before. "It was a great experience for both the children and their teachers," she said.
She also expressed deep gratitude to the wing commander and staff of the 38th Fighter Wing for their warm welcome and careful preparations, and thanked the science culture hub for organizing and supporting the program.
The event was part of the "2026 North Jeolla Aerospace Future Talent Expedition — Starlight Science Expedition" project. The North Jeolla Science Culture Hub led the initiative, with the North Jeolla chapter of the Korea Aerospace Industries Youth Corps handling operations.
The Starlight Science Expedition is a program designed to help local youth directly experience future technology fields such as aerospace and drones and explore related career options.
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