Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The Korea-U.S. Navy showed confidence in its ability to destroy any invading enemy

Blocked an escape route as soon as it found the virtual enemy submarine
Blocked the infiltration lane and dropped an antisubmarine bomb from a marine patrol

First operation separated from regular drills
Based on a comprehensive surface, underwater and aerial attack scenario
Displayed stronger and more powerful Korea-U.S. organic cooperation

“An enemy submarine equipped with a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is approaching the northern limit line (NLL) in the East Sea now.”

The Korea-U.S. Naval forces immediately deployed themselves as they get the urgent information. Their marine patrol and antisubmarine helicopter were scrambled to detect the enemy submarine. Surface vessels also traced the enemy while maintaining a screen. After a while, the marine patrol found the enemy submarine and reported it to the Korea-U.S. combined forces, it then started to block off the escape route. As the enemy’s infiltration lane was blocked off as well thanks to our military attacks, the marine patrol dropped antisubmarine bombs soon after. The enemy submarine was finally destroyed with Korea-U.S. Navies’s air-tight and systematic cooperation.

A combined maritime operation was conducted on September 26 as an implication of strong warning and punishment to North Korea regarding its provocations, which have been constantly increasing in the East Sea.

Our navy sent 3 surface vessels including the Yulgok Yi I Ham (7,600 ton class DDG), a submarine, an anti-submarine helicopter (LYNX), and marine patrol (P-3), while the U.S. navy deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the USS Spruance (9,500-ton class DDG), and the U.S. marine patrol (P-3).

At the joint report, the Republic of Korea Fleet Command and the U.S. Naval Forces Korea said, “This marks the first time we have performed an operation like this separately from our regular Korea/U.S. navy drills. It shows clearly that we are ready to cope with the North Korean provocations, and respond to their recent provocations.”

As it suggested, the operation was conducted based on a situation of the Korea and U.S. combined naval forces’ defending against an integrated surface attack, underwater attack, air ballistic missile attacks, etc. Through the tactical maneuver and enemy ballistic missile detection and tracking exercise, antisubmarine warfare drill to identify and track the enemy submarine, pin-point striking training against the enemy ground target, etc, the navies showed off their strengthened, powerful readiness ability.

Vice admiral Lee Ki-sik, commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet Command, “This combined operation is a concrete example that shows how the Korea-U.S. alliance is implemented through close cooperation between the two navies. It proves we are always ready to block and disarm the enemy’s act of aggression.”

Rear admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Korea, also said, “The Korea-U.S. navies showed their indomitable power and will through this operation. We are together with the Korean navy each day, and will stand with Korea to defend against North Korea’s illegal provocations.”

Meanwhile, it is said that strategic platforms will be further deployed in the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Ronald Reagan, will be in the Korea-U.S. combined carrier strike group training to be held in the West Sea and southern sea of Jeju from October 10 to 15.

By Joo-Hyeong, Lee < jataka@dema.mil.kr >
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