Naval Academy Cadets' 67-Day Voyage Training

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Naval Academy cadets are embarking on a 67-day deep-sea navigation training.

On the 22nd, the Navy announced that the '2021 Navy Cruise Training Squadron,' consisting of 152 cadets from the 76th class of the Naval Academy and about 540 crew members, will set sail from the Navy Jeju Base with a send-off ceremony.

The Cruise Training Squadron will sequentially call at five ports in two countries, starting with Alaska, USA, then Victoria, Canada, San Diego, USA, Hawaii, and Guam, receiving intensive education and training. They will also participate in joint opportunity training with the host countries to directly observe and learn joint operation procedures on site. Notably, this Cruise Training Squadron will be the first in our Navy to navigate the Arctic Bering Sea and call at the port of Alaska, marking the pioneering of a new northern sea route.

Military diplomacy and veterans' activities will also be conducted. In Victoria, Canada, they will participate in the 70th anniversary event of the Battle of Gapyeong during the Korean War. In Hawaii, they plan to support the installation of a memorial stone dedicated to Korean War veterans at the Pacific National Memorial Cemetery. Additionally, at each port of call, they will deliver video messages and souvenirs to Korean War veterans.

However, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continuing from last year, the number of port calls and other activities have been reduced compared to previous years. Only those who have completed vaccination were selected as training participants. They underwent a two-week preventive quarantine and two PCR tests before departure. The ship is equipped with PCR testing equipment and rapid antigen test kits, and medical personnel have been reinforced. Furthermore, a separate isolated quarantine area has been designated in preparation for symptomatic cases, equipped with a negative pressure transport cart and treatments for severe and critical conditions.