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ROK Navy Visits Pearl Harbor

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041025-08
Release Date: 10/25/2004 4:00:00 PM

By Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Gregory Bookout, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- As part of a three-and-a-half-month Navy Cruise Training Force deployment, three ships from the Republic of South Korea made a port visit in Pearl Harbor Oct. 14.

The Korean Navy Cruise Training Force 2004 is a mission mainly meant to acquaint Korean naval midshipmen with the rigors of serving afloat, and to familiarize them with shipboard responsibilities for junior officers.

The three ships making the port stop were Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Yang Man Choon (DDH 973), ROKS Won San (MLS 560) and ROKS Wha Chun (AOE 59).

Upon arrival to the harbor, a welcoming ceremony was held aboard the ROKS Yang Man Choon in which Capt. David D. Bigelow, acting commander, Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific, presented traditional Hawaiian flower lei to members of the ship while Korean Sailors provided musical accompaniment.

Adm. Walter F. Doran, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet was also on hand to greet top ranking officers with gifts and to welcome them to Pearl Harbor.

Lt. Brian Donohue, Pearl Harbor's foreign ship liaison officer, said ROK sailors were very appreciative of the welcome they received from the Pearl Harbor community.

"The Korean naval personnel were very appreciative of what the U.S. Navy provided them with while they were here," said Donohue. "We arranged transportation, set up tee times for golfing and arranged many events, which they said they were very thankful for."

While visiting Hawaii, sailors, officers and midshipmen of the South Korean navy were exposed to American culture, viewed equipment and traditions of the U.S. Navy and were greeted by the Hawaiian Korean community through a military luncheon at Kapiolani Park Oct. 16.

The Korean Navy military band, an honor guard and Tae Kwon Do team was present for the luncheon in Kapiolani Park.

A reception was held aboard Wha Chun for local Korean community members Oct. 16, and the three ships departed Pearl Harbor, en route to Canada, the next morning.