Republic of Korea (ROK) Lt. j.g. Gyeong Min Lee, operations officer of ROK Ship Hae Nam (MSH 573), embarked aboard mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14) to further cooperation between the U.S. and ROK navies during Exercise Foal Eagle, April 5-11.
During his first underway period aboard a U.S. Navy ship, Lee made note of the similarities and differences between the U.S. and ROK navies while observing the joint training operations.
The bilateral mine countermeasures training is conducted annually during Foal Eagle and is designed to strengthen the interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces.
Lee said:
Foal Eagle training has been very significant, because Korea and the U.S. are resolved in working together in mine warfare operations. It was interesting learning about the differences between the American mine countermeasures ships and Korean vessels, because both navies can learn from each other’s expertise and knowledge.
While aboard Chief, Lee toured the ship, stood watch with Rumments and discussed Mine Neutralization Vehicle (MNV) operations as well as sonar detection capabilities.
Lee said the exercise provided significant training to the ROK and U.S., while reaffirming both nations’ commitment to working together in mine warfare operations.
Exercise Foal Eagle 2015 is a series of annual training events that are defense oriented and designed to increase readiness and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula while strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and promoting regional peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
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Image: US Navy