Korea comes to HMAS Kuttabul
31 August 2010
Defence ties between Australia and the Republic of South Korea (ROK) were boosted recently when two ROK-Navy warships visited Fleet Base East on a goodwill and training tour to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
The port visit by ROK Ships Hwa Cheon (CAPT Lee Jung Hyun) and Yang Man Choon (CAPT Cho Kee Hong) in late August served to further develop the friendship between our navies, prior to the visit by Chief of Navy (CN), Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AO, CSM, RAN, to South Korea, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Inchon Landing this month.
The ROK-N visit 26-29 August provided the RAN with another welcome opportunity to enhance its reputation as a good friend and host amongst its allies and trade partners in the Asia-Pacific.
Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT), Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN, said that the main purpose of the visit was to promote interoperability and goodwill between the Australian and ROK navies.
“The Australian and ROK Defence Forces have been working together for over 60 years so I am confident this visit will further strengthen ties between our nations,” he said.
In April this year, the Navy sent a number of Accident Investigation Officers to South Korea to assist with the inquiry into the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan, which was sunk in the vicinity of the Northern Limit Line on 26 March 2010.
The port visit saw the ROKS Yang Man Choon (DDH973), which is a DDH-I Gwanggaet Daewang class destroyer and the Hwa Cheon (AOE 59), which is a combat support and supply ship, open their gangways to scores of curious RAN Officers and sailors.
CN and COMAUSFLT expressed interest in the innovativeness of the South Korean ship building industry which has benefitted from technology transfers with numerous foreign Defence partners.
The ROK-N showcased its national defence industry, including their locally developed torpedoes, guided missiles, the K-9 mobile gun, and the K-11 complex rifle.
The RAN also treated the visiting Korean Officers and sailors to tours of the upgraded FFG, HMAS Newcastle, which is freshly returned from RIMPAC 10, and also the ‘stone frigate’ HMAS Watson, which is the Navy’s centre for excellence for warfare training.
The ROK-N Task Group also performed a PASSEX exercise with HMAS Manoora, which served to improve our joint operations through strategic mobilization, ship interception/search exercise, aircraft controls, communication exercises and current discrimination exercises.
During the port visit, CN and COMAUSFLT held discussions with the Commander of the ROK-N Academy Cruise Training Force Group, Rear Admiral Lee Byeung Kweon and Chief of Staff, CAPT Lee Kyung Tael, on a range of issues including the ROK-N Aegis warships which have similar systems to the Hobart-class AWDs being procured by the RAN.
The strength of the relationship between the two navies was illustrated through a sports competition which saw sailors from HMAS Kuttabul and both ROK-N warships play each other in volleyball and basketball.
The ROK Cruise Training Task Group is conducting a tour of eight countries that provided support during the Korean War, including Canada, the US, New Zealand, and Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korea War. When the Korean War erupted, Australia was the second nation to send its troops, after the US. Australia also dispatched 13 naval ships, including the light aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney (III).
Australian forces proved their bravery in battles such as the East-West Sea Blockade Operation, the Inchon Amphibious Operation, and the Battle of Kapyong.
