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USS Essex wraps up combined exercise with S. Koreans

Seventh Fleet

Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Roger Dutcher, USS Essex public affairs
Posted 03/26/2003

ABOARD USS ESSEX AT SEA -- Twelve Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy personnel were aboard the amphibious assault ship, USS Essex (LHD 2) March 19 in support of the international joint-combined exercise, Foal Eagle.

The nine officers and three enlisted personnel were onboard the ship to serve as Naval Liaison Officers and as a part of the Combined Amphibious Battle Staff.

Many of the ROK Sailors had never been on a U.S. warship before, and they expressed admiration over the capabilities of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship.

Both the number of female crewmembers and the highly developed technology on Essex offered a new experience for Cmdr. Kim Young Suk, Executive Officer of ROKS Hwachon (AOE 59), who served as operations officer for the Combined Amphibious Battle Staff during the exercise.

"I have seen female crewmembers do the same jobs as the men, and some do it better," Suk said. "I have also been impressed with the advanced technology," he said, referring to the ship's collective protection system, an air-pressure system activated during chemical, biological and radiological warfare.

Suk also said he and his Korean shipmates were impressed with the "big" power of the U.S. Navy.

With service members from both the U.S. and ROK working side by side, an obvious obstacle to overcome was the language barrier.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Dong Hyun Ji, a crewmember on the minesweeper ROKS Young Dong (MSC 558), served as a translator between the U.S. and ROK personnel for the exercise.

"I have been very busy working between the two services," Ji said. "It has been interesting, and I am able to practice my English."

Ji was also impressed with the coordination and planning of the U.S. Navy.

"It has been impressive to watch the U.S. Navy perform an amphibious assault," said Ji. "We (ROK) don't use LCACs and aircraft during our assaults, so it has been amazing to watch."

Petty Officer Dong's linguistic skills were essential to the success of the exercise.

Communication is often one of the most challenging aspects of combined exercises, and Exercise Foal Eagle was no exception.

"Working with the U.S. military allows us to work on communications and other issues with the U.S., so that we can develop a better combined tactical plan," Cmdr. Kim said. "It also shows the world that the United States and Republic of Korea are firmly allied forces."

The Essex Commanding Officer, Capt. Ronald Evans, echoed the sentiment regarding the necessity of cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

"It seems that in the last couple years the world has gotten smaller, as we have seen the affects from terrorism enter our own backyard," Capt. Evans said. "More now than ever, it is important for us to work closely with other nations to form a stabilizing force in the Pacific region and throughout the world. Through this training, we, on Essex, have done our own small part in the fight for freedom, by strengthening the existing friendships with our allies and maintaining peace in the Pacific."

The Essex was participating in exercise Foal Eagle as a part of the Essex Amphibious Ready group. The Essex ARG is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan as a part of the Navy's permanently forward deployed amphibious force.