The 1980's saw the thawing of the Cold War stalemate between the West and the East. To respond to such changing international environment and to continue to make up for the comparative deficiency in the airpower, the ROKAF introduced new assets. Korean manufactured Jegongho(F-5E/F) were produced and deployed, and F-16 fighters and C-130 carriers were introduced. Furthermore, automating the air defense control system and installation of Korean Combat Operations Information Center meant that, in a contingency situation, rapid attainment of air superiority was made possible. Especially deserving of note, ROKAF supported Seoul Olympics as part of the Armed Forces Olympics Supporting Team, contributing to the successful hosting of Olympics. In 1980's ROKAF moved its main bodies - headquarters, Air Force Academy, Air Force Education and Training Command and Air University - preparing for a new era of ROKAF.
| - Jul 1989 | Headquarters moved |
|---|---|
| - Apr 1989 | T-28 trainers retired |
| - Oct 1988 | Moving of Air Force Education & Training Command |
| - Sep 1988 | Support for Seoul Olympics |
| - Mar 1988 | Base air defense artillery introduced |
| - Jan 1988 | C-130 carriers introduced |
| - Aug 1986 | Automated Air Traffic Control System introduced |
| - Apr 1986 | F-16 fighters introduced |
| - Dec 1985 | Moving of Air Force Academy |
| - Jul 1985 | Automated Air Defense System in operation |
| - May 1984 | First Aerospace Symposium held |
| - Feb 1983 | Defection of North Korean pilot Captain Lee, Woong Pyeong (MiG-19) |
| - Sep 1982 | Korean manufactured F-5E(Jegongho) produced |
