A tragic incident occurred in Gapyeong, South Korea, where an Army Cobra helicopter crashed while conducting emergency procedures training. The crash happened at approximately 11:04 AM, resulting in the deaths of two sergeants who were aboard the helicopter. Despite rapid emergency transport to a civilian hospital, medics could not save the soldiers. The training involved simulating emergency landings without shutting down the engine, highlighting the risky nature of such exercises.

The Cobra helicopter, introduced between the 1970s and 1980s, has been a cornerstone of South Korea's military aviation but is now deemed outdated. Equipped with weapons for targeting enemy armored vehicles, the Cobra has served as the Army's primary attack helicopter for decades. However, its aging condition has raised significant safety concerns, leading the military to plan for its replacement with domestically manufactured light armed helicopters starting in 2024.

In response to the accident, the Army has temporarily halted operations of the AH-1S helicopter model and established an accident response headquarters to investigate the cause of the crash. Defense Minister An Gyu-baek, while visiting Saudi Arabia, instructed army officials to ensure a swift and thorough response to the incident. The crisis raises important questions about military equipment safety and the management of aging military assets in South Korea.