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Maj. Pyeon Yeon-ju, the first female soldier to be named "Top Heligun" at the 2026 Republic of Korea Army Aviation Gunnery Competition, poses aboard an Apache (AH-64E) helicopter. / Courtesy of the Republic of Korea Army

The Republic of Korea Army has named its first female "Top Heligun," with Maj. Pyeon Yeon-ju, an AH-64E Apache Guardian pilot from the 901st Aviation Battalion, receiving the prestigious title.

The Army held an awards ceremony for the 2026 Army Aviation Gunnery Competition at the Army Aviation Command on Oct. 30, honoring 29 personnel across 16 categories.

A total of 25 battalions participated in the competition, held at the Biseung Firing Range in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Around 200 elite pilots operating five helicopter types competed in daytime and nighttime live-fire exercises tailored to their aircraft.

The competition also featured counter-drone and nighttime firing exercises reflecting the characteristics of modern warfare, making it an event designed to prepare pilots for future combat operations.

Maj. Pyeon and Chief Warrant Officer Song Young-il achieved the highest scores and were named the 28th Top Heligun award winners.

Pyeon, the first woman to receive the title, was commissioned in 2011 through the 56th class of the Officer Candidate School program. She began her first operational assignment in 2013 as an AH-1S Cobra helicopter pilot.

In 2015, she joined a task force established to create an Apache helicopter unit, where she developed her ambition to fly the aircraft. She transitioned to the Apache in 2018 and currently serves as an aviation operations officer with the 12th Infantry Division.

"I am honored to become the first female Top Heligun award winner. This achievement was not mine alone. It was possible thanks to the support of my fellow unit members, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes," Pyeon said.

"I will continue working hard to become a pilot capable of conducting overwhelming aviation operations and leading the way on future battlefields," she added.

Song, who received the Top Heligun title for the second time, is a veteran pilot commissioned as a warrant officer in May 2001 through the 136th rotary-wing warrant officer class.

He began his flying career as a Cobra helicopter pilot and has since qualified to operate four helicopter types: the Cobra, BO-105, 500MD and Apache.

He previously won the Top Heligun title as a 500MD pilot at the 27th Army Aviation Gunnery Competition in 2015.

"It feels particularly meaningful to be named Top Heligun, the highest honor for an attack helicopter pilot, for the second time. I am grateful to my fellow battalion members who worked alongside me," Song said.

"I will continue striving to be an Apache pilot who defends our country and protects the everyday lives of our people," he added.

Meanwhile, the Army Aviation Gunnery Competition, which began in 1989, marks its 38th edition this year. Held annually, it is regarded as a major competition for evaluating the combat proficiency of Army aviation units and strengthening their ability to carry out real-world missions.

Since 1999, the highest-scoring gunner has been designated Top Heligun and awarded the Minister of National Defense Award. In 2002, the honor was elevated to the Presidential Award.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol