On Wednesday, 20 November 2013, NATO`s Operation OCEAN SHIELD flagship HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN conducted boarding and medical exercises together with the flagship of ROK Escort Task Group, ROKS CHOI YOUNG.
Boarding teams from both ships simulated boarding NANSEN, providing important insight into each other’s procedures to target the challenges in boarding operations. The exercise further strengthened relations between the teams and provided a good foundation for future cooperation and combined exercises.
During the exercise, both ships’ medical teams simulated treating a Norwegian RHIB operator with life-threatening injuries. Medical team on board YOUNG treated the patient while NANSEN’s medical team observed. The two medical teams used the opportunity to learn from each other.
Captain Sung Mok Choi, Commander of the ROK Naval Escort Task Group and Commanding Officer of YOUNG, met with Commodore Henning Amundsen, Commander of NATO`s counter-piracy Task Force 508 (CTF-508), on board the Korean ship to discuss the exercise and future opportunities to work together.
”We have established a good relationship with the Koreans,” said Amundsen. “Cooperation and coordination between the forces in the region is essential in fighting piracy most effectively.”
[mappress] Press Release, November 21, 2013; Image: NATO