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George Washington Welcomes Republic of Korea Dignitaries and Distinguished Visitors

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111001-05
10/1/2011

By Seaman Tatiana Avery, USS George Washington Public Affairs

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The crew of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted a reception and welcomed aboard dignitaries and distinguished visitors upon the ship's first day in the Republic of Korea (ROK), Sept. 30.

Nearly 300 honored guests were in attendance including Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, Robert Martinage and Vice Adm. Ki Chul Hwang, commander-in-chief of the ROK Fleet.

"During my visit to South Korea, I'm reminded that there are very real threats but by being here tonight, I know that we can and will face them together," said Martrinage.

2011 marks the 58th year of the ROK-U.S. relationship. Annually, navies from the two nations conduct more than a dozen maritime exercises together to ensure and improve interoperability.

Joining Martinage on stage to raise a toast to this alliance was Commander, Task Force 70, Rear Adm. J.R. Haley and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Rear Adm. William McQuilkin.

"We're proud to join some of our closest friends here in the Republic of Korea to ensure that we have a safe peninsula. Four simple words are pertinent and mean so much to us and them and those words are... one team, one fight," said Haley.

The reception included an aircraft elevator ride from the hangar bay to the flight deck where guests got an up close look at the fighter jets and helicopters of Carrier Air Wing 5.

"The trimming of this port visit and reception couldn't be better," said George Washington's commanding officer, Capt. David A. Lausman. "This weekend, the ROK's will celebrate Armed Forces Day, a time to remember all those who died in the name of freedom here."

Armed forces Day is celebrated yearly on October 1st and marks the day that South Korean forces broke through the 38th parallel in 1950 during the Korean War. More than 36,500 Americans died in that conflict.

George Washington pulled out of her forward-operating port of Yokosuka, Japan Sept. 19 to continue her 2011 patrol. As the Navy's only full-time forward deployed carrier, George Washington's mission is to help ensure security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.