Soo Bakh Doo at Vance

Luis Anguiano performs a kicking demonstration in the Vance gymnasium May 4 during an evaluation to attain the rank of sam da, a 3rd degree black belt in Soo Bakh Doo. The martial arts students and teachers, part of Soo Bahk Doo Region 6, were participating in a Shim Sa, or an evaluation for promotion to the next belt or rank. Shim Sa's are held during the spring and fall, and this was the first time a Shim Sa for black belts was held on an military installation in the continental U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta)

Soo Bakh Doo at Vance

Thomas Gale performs a kicking demonstration at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., in the gymnasium May 4 during an evaluation to attain the rank of e dan, a 2nd degree black belt in Soo Bakh Doo. The martial arts students and teachers, part of Soo Bahk Doo Region 6, were participating in a Shim Sa, or an evaluation for promotion to the next belt or rank. Shim Sa's are held during the spring and fall, and this was the first time a Shim Sa for black belts was held on an military installation in the continental U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta)

Vance hosts first Soo Bakh Do promotion test on CONUS Air Force base

Published May 8, 2013

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The first Shim Sa -- a martial arts promotion test -- held on an Air Force base in the continental U.S. took place in the Vance gymnasium May 4.

Ninety Soo Bahk Do practitioners participated in the Region 6 Shim Sa, some of whom tested for black belt.

Those testing had to demonstrate their skill in basic hand and kicking techniques, hyeong -- a systematic, prearranged sequence of martial techniques -- block breaking, self defense, sparring and a verbal examination in front of 15 masters.

"As head instructor at Vance, I'm very grateful for the support we received here," said Harry Lade, the lead Soo Bahk Do instructor here and member of the 71st Student Squadron.

Soo Bakh Do is a Korean form of martial arts.