Republic of Korea Visits

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (November 21, 2005) -- On Monday, Rear Admiral Seung Hak Chang (center), Deputy Commander of Republic of Korea's Navy Fleet along with ROK's newest class of flag officers, toured the Los Angeles-class nuclear powered attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722). They also met with Rear Admiral Jeffrey Cassias (left), Commander Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet. Photo by JOC(SW/AW) David Rush

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (November 21, 2005) -- The Republic of Korea's newest class of flag officers visited the Los Angeles-class nuclear powered attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) and met with staff at the headquarters of Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet, in Pearl Harbor.

Submarine Force Pacific commander Rear Admiral Jeffrey Cassias said the visit helped to further enhance cooperation between the two navies.

“Our submarines spend a large amount of their time on station in that part of the world," said Cassias. "So it's useful to show our allies all that goes in to preparing our boats to deploy.”

The six Korean officers, led by Deputy Fleet commander Rear Admiral Chang Seung Hak, were participating in program known as Capstone, which provides newly selected flag officers with a series of seminars, case studies, discussions, and visits military commands overseas. The US military has a similar program.

“For the last 10 years, the Korean and US Navy submarine force has cooperated very closely," said Chang. "I expect that relationship will continue for a long time to come. For peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and for Northeast Asia, we need to maintain a very close relationship for the next 100 years.”

Korea's submarine force celebrated its tenth anniversary last month. The Republic of Korea Submarine Force was established on October 1, 1995.

While onboard USS Key West, the group was shown the control, sonar, and weapons spaces. For Chang, a surface warfare officer, it was his first time on a US submarine. He said he was impressed with professionalism and pride of the submariners, particularly in light of how they work and live in confined spaces.

“I see the conditions the submariners work in," said Chang. "The submarine force contributes to world peace even though they live in difficult conditions."

According to Cassias, the visit was just one example of the many types of interaction that take place between the two navies.

“That we both have similar Capstone programs for new flag officers is a reflection of how closely we work together,” Cassias said. He noted that the regular cooperation between the two contributes to regional stability.

“Our strong working relationship with the Republic of Korea Navy is an integral part of the overall alliance that has successfully maintained peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for the past half century,” said Cassias.

In addition to visiting COMSUBPAC headquarters, the visitors met with Admiral Gary Roughhead, Commander, US Pacific Fleet; the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific (JICPAC); and toured the Pearl Harbor-based Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70).

by JOC (SW/AW) David Rush

Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Press Release