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Helo Squadron Joins Korean Navy in Combined Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090514-06
Release Date: 5/14/2009 4:07:00 PM

By LT Ian McColley, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 Public Affairs

POHANG, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- An MH-53E "Sea Dragon" from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Detachment 1 (HM 14 Det. 1) practiced operating with two Republic of Korea (ROK) naval vessels May 12 off the coast of Pohang, ROK.

The exercise, named ROKAM-1/A, focuses on U.S. airborne mine countermeasures (MCM) helicopters, represented by HM 14 Det. 1, synching with ROKN surface mine countermeasures assets. The combined exercise is intended to strengthen ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea and heighten confidence in their ability to work as a team.

The ROK Navy is using two minesweepers, the ROKS Yang Yang (MHC 562) and the ROKS Gwangjin (MSH 571).

"An event like this allows two pieces of the MCM triad to standardize our tactics in an effort to be as efficient as possible in a real-world scenario," said Det. 1 Officer in Charge, Lt. Cmdr. Tony Monell.

"Since the ROK lacks an AMCM [Air Mine Countermeasures] platform, they understand the benefits of our capabilities and are especially anxious to utilize our assets for training. This affords us the opportunity to solve critical communication deficits, while mapping and familiarizing ourselves with strategic ports on the Korean peninsula,"

The MH-53E Sea Dragon from HM 14 Det. 1 combed the bay off Pohang for "mine-shapes" placed earlier by the ROK Navy. Using their Q-24 sonar equipment, the crew was able to identify potential mine contacts, analyze the information gathered and later reacquire the targets and confirm their data. Several members of the ROK 6th Air Wing had an opportunity to fly onboard the MH-53E during the two-day event to observe Det. 1 aircrews in an AMCM environment.

Air Wing Commodore, Rear Adm. Kim Sang Seok toured the aircraft immediately following the flight.

"Since many of us haven't had much experience in multinational mine operations, we are very excited to work with the Korean SMCM [surface mine countermeasures] assets. We have shown that it is not only possible to efficiently perform these missions with international units, but it is also highly advantageous to our mission," said Lt. Kimberly Gentner, HM-14 Det. 1 tactics officer.

ROKAM -1/A, whose genesis was at the request of Commander ROK Fleet (COMROKFLT) Vice Adm. Park Jung-hwa, is an event slated to occur monthly to improve interoperability, while serving as an opportunity to preserve stability on the Peninsula.

As the sole U.S. Navy Squadron on the Korean Peninsula, HM-14 Det 1 has seen an increase in the amount of requests to participate in combined exercises as more senior officials become aware of Det. 1's unique capabilities.

The data obtained on the mission was quickly submitted to Det. 1's tactics division as soon as the aircraft touched down. Once in tactics, the information was analyzed further and compared with data gathered simultaneously by the ROK surface ships. This entire process took mere hours from helicopter launch to final analysis.

The experience left both Koreans and Americans better able to communicate between war-fighting platforms with a higher level of confidence and skill. Sharing information in a timely and professional manner strengthens ties and improves the two nation's mine-deterrence and neutralization capabilities.

HM-14 Det. 1 is currently deployed to Pohang, ROK, and serves as part of 7th Fleet's amphibious force headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.