• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Gary, USS McCain Sailors Visit Donghae, Korea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060407-01
Release Date: 4/7/2006 9:15:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class David McKee, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs

SEOUL, Korea (NNS) -- Sailors began a five-day port visit at the eastern Republic of Korea (ROK) port of Donghae March 20, before taking part in the joint and combined field training exercise Foal Eagle 06.

Donghae, well-known as the “sun-rising city” in Korea, for its location on the East Coast, afforded these Sailors an opportunity to participate in community relations events as part of the ships' visit.

Forty Sailors from McCain collected trash along a trail at the popular tourist site Mu Reung Valley during a one-hour hike to the scenic Twin Falls (Ssang Po Pok).
The final leg of the climb included the 200 stairs to the viewing area of the Twin Falls. For Internal Communications Electrician 3rd Class (SW) Kevin Elwood, who has been to the ROK 13 times, the trip to Mu Reung Valley was a unique experience.

“This is the most beautiful place,” said Elwood. “I’m from New York City, and I’ve never seen a waterfall.”

Following the working expedition, the president of McCain’s first class petty officer association, Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Roy Aduna, presented hats and a plaque to tour coordinators in appreciation for showing them the park.

The next day, Sailors from both ships conducted community relations (COMREL) projects at two nursing homes in Donghae. Twenty crew members from McCain moved one metric ton (2,200 pounds) of dirt to reinforce an embankment at the Yeo-young Won nursing home and delivered homemade cookies baked for the residents by culinary specialists on the ship.

Ten members from Gary cleaned vents and window frames at the Irae Maul Nursing Home before relaxing and sharing their own homemade cookies with the residents. Seaman Andrew Linga demonstrated his magic skills by making a red handkerchief and a coin disappear, to the awe of his fellow crew members and the residents at the home.

In addition to the chance to help the Donghae community, the COMREL at the Irae Maul was a chance for Sailors to work with their ROK naval counterparts like Petty Officer 1st Class Kim Yu-na, who said it was her first time working with U.S. Sailors.

“It was good to help the elderly people of Korea alongside the U.S. Sailors,” said Yu-na.

"The turnout was great” said McCain’s Hull Technician 1st Class (SW) Tannie Blackmond. “Everyone enjoyed themselves. We did something for the community of Donghae and the crew had the opportunity to see beautiful Korea and get some exercise.”

Following the two COMREL projects, teams from both ships met on the soccer field at the ROK 3rd Fleet Base next to the the pier. Each team played a round of soccer with players from the ROK Navy, and even though the Korean teams edged out their U.S. counterparts 4-2 in a combined score from the two games, it was a tremendous experience for both teams.

“The soccer match was an excellent opportunity for our Sailors to share in something other than just the military part of the upcoming exercise,” said McCain Senior Chief Cryptologic Techician (SW/AW) Ty Eane. “Soccer’s a good competitive sport, and it was an excellent match”

Following the game, the commands also exchanged gifts of plaques and command ball caps.

Donghae, which means East Sea, is the home of the ROK 1st Fleet and one of the largest commercial ports in Korea welcoming ships from China, Russia, Vietnam and other countries.