Pyongyang, November 2 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il guided an exercise of the combined unit of the Air Force of the KPA honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment.

He was accompanied by Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, KPA Vice Marshal Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Kim Kyong Hui, member of the Political Bureau and department director of the C.C., the WPK, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-chairman of the NDC, Pak To Chun, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, Kim Kyong Ok, first vice department director of the C.C., the WPK, and KPA Generals Kim Myong Guk, Kim Won Hong, Pak Jae Gyong and Hyon Chol Hae.

He was greeted by KPA General Ri Pyong Chol, commander of the Air Force of the KPA, KPA Lieut. General Son Chong Nam and other general officers and commanding officers of the unit.

After receiving a salute, he recognized Hero of the DPRK Ho Ryong among commanding officers and praised him again for the bravery displayed by him in repelling a U.S. imperialist strategic reconnaissance plane's intrusion into the territorial air of the country.

After learning about the performance of guard duty of the unit, he mounted a commanding post and watched pilots' flight exercise.

Watching the brave exercise of the airmen who neither make an empty talk nor show any mercy, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the pilots have prepared themselves as competent combat pilots through energetic flight exercise, deeply mindful that exercise means combat. He congratulated them on their successful training.

Our proud pilots are strong in idea and faith as they are filled with the grit to firmly defend the inviolable territorial air of the socialist country like human bombs, he said, adding: Always invulnerable is the sky of the country guarded by such reliable air force.

He met 14 pilots of Unit 447 of the KPA Air Force who successfully performed a difficult combat flying duty.

He invited them with loving care to have a photo taken with him.

He once again praised the unit for following the enemies' moves for aggression with vigilance and performing its guard duty in a responsible manner, always keeping itself in high combat readiness. He encouraged the pilots.

He had a photo session with the servicepersons of the unit.

Informed that the pilots who participated in the flight exercise have not yet arrived at the venue of the photo session, he waited for them to reach there.

When he saw the pilots on the photographing stand, he called them to come close to him and congratulated them on their successful flight exercise. When they sincerely wished him good health on his long journey for field guidance, he also wished them good health and success in their training.