Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korean Navy holding the first ever commander’s stick at RIMPAC exercises

Commands sea operations with over-destroyer-level of 11 fleets from seven countries, including a U.S. Carrier
Showing off our Navy’s superiority to the world … upgrading Korea’s status
 

The Navy said that, on July 7, it is carrying out Sea Combat Commander (SCC), Carrier Strike Group mission for the first time at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises 2014 being held in Hawaii since its first participation in 1990.

SCC has tremendous responsibilities to successfully lead a variety of anti-submarine and anti-ship operations with more effectual response, directly taking the lead of fleets from different countries that belong to the Carrier Strike Group.

As the mission completion shows the Korean Navy’s upgraded status at RIMPAC exercises, it is a good opportunity to present our excellent combined mission capabilities to the world. Started June 26, the exercises continue for 37 days and have largest number of participants ever – 22 countries including China and Brunei, which are taking part for the first time. 

The SCC mission means a lot under the circumstances in which neighboring countries of Korea are showing off their military power, and China in particular is participating for the first time in the military training held in U.S. territory, and Japan, which has recently enhanced its collective self-defense right, sends Ground Self-Defense Forces.

Our navy had carried out a mission of surface combat commander of multi-national forces as charged in 2006, and at these exercises, the mission has been upgraded to command several surface combat groups, subordinate forces of the carrier strike group.   　

From the beginning of July, for more than three weeks, Captain Nam Dong-woo, commander of 72 mobile warfare, 41st naval cadet, takes charge of the Korean Navy‘s RIMPAC exercises at marine navigation training and will lead actual operations of 11 over-destroyer-class fleets from seven countries, including a Nimitz-class supercarrier, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and 17 destroyer helicopters as well.

The seven fleets Captain Nam will command are from Korea as well as the U.S., Japan, India, Singapore, Norway and Chile.

U.S. Commodore Patrick D. Hall, the commander of the carrier strike group, said, “Since the Korean Navy has achieved excellent results at RIMPAC so far, the SCC mission, which requires the best leadership, is assigned to them. I have no doubt of perfect mission completion this time, too.”

Canadian Rear Admiral Gilles Couturier, the combined naval component commander, also said, “It shows how great a contribution the Korean navy makes to the Pacific area and how wonderful Korean sailors’ capabilities are. Korean people should be proud of their soon-to-be completed missions.”

Our navy is expecting a significant improvement of the task force’s mission capabilities through this operation.

“This SCC mission is a good chance to add operational capability to our task force‘s military strength which has been built persistently. With the majority of command and combat abilities until the end of the training, I'll make great efforts to introduce the excellence of the Korean Navy and enhance national prestige,” said Captain Nam.

Meanwhile, there are three fleets, Seoae Ryu Seong-Ryong Ham, 7,600-ton AEGIS destroyer (DDG), Wang Geon Ham, 4,400-ton destroyer (DDH-II) and Yi Sun-Shin Ham, 1,200-ton Jang Bo Go class submarine (SS), a P-3 marine patrol, and two Lynx Helicopters in the training. Moreover, a team of naval special task force consisting of nine soldiers is also participating in the training with one Marine platoon for the first time this year to develop the ability for a multinational combined landing mission, combined special warfare and explosives ordnance disposal.

As the 24th exercise for this year, the RIMPAC has been held by U.S. 3rd Fleet Command every other year not only to improve combined operational capabilities among participants for securing ocean transportation safety around countries in the Pacific Rim but also to promote friendship. This is the 13th training since the first participation in 1990.

In Hawaii, article and photos by Yong-Hak, Cho < catcho@dema.mil.kr >

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