“Korea Navy Was Called the ‘Cute Navy’”

Former Commander Ahn Sang-min Leads Largest-Ever Troop Contingent in RIMPAC Exercise Participation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]An Sang-min, former task force commander (Navy Rear Admiral) who led the largest-ever contingent of troops to participate in the multinational maritime joint exercise Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), pledged to actively promote the development of the Republic of Korea Navy.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 7th, former commander An, participating in RIMPAC for the second time, first took part in RIMPAC in 1992 as a second lieutenant aboard the 1,500-ton class frigate Gyeongbuk (FF).

In an interview with Defense Daily held locally in Hawaii, former commander An said that at that time, the Korean Navy was referred to by other countries' militaries as the "Cutie Navy" due to its poor capabilities. He recalled, "Back then, we were excited just to participate in the exercise and learned a lot, but I also wondered if a 1,500-ton frigate could safely cross the Pacific. Our capabilities were that insufficient. No wonder we were called the Cutie Navy."

However, he proudly stated, "Exactly 30 years later, I, who was the youngest officer in the task force, returned to Hawaii as the task force commander," adding, "Over the past 30 years, I have directly felt the status of our navy, which has developed thanks to the interest and support of the people." He emphasized, "The navies I met here praised our ships as 'beautiful.' On the way to Hawaii, we also conducted joint carrier strike group exercises on equal footing with the U.S. military. The development over 30 years is almost unbelievable."

In this RIMPAC exercise, Korea’s naval task force commander is performing the role of expeditionary strike group commander for the first time. Notably, the Korean Navy deployed the largest force in this RIMPAC exercise, including the large transport ship Marado (LPH, 14,500 tons), Sejong the Great (DDG, 7,600 tons), Munmu the Great (DDH-II, 4,400 tons), Son Won-il-class submarine Shindolseok (SS-II, 1,800 tons), one maritime patrol aircraft (P-3), two maritime operational helicopters (LYNX), nine Korean amphibious assault vehicles (KAAV), one Marine Corps landing company, four special warfare teams, the 59th mobile construction battalion, and about 1,000 personnel.

The RIMPAC task force conducted joint exercises with the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN-76, 100,000 tons) and others in the open sea southeast of Okinawa, Japan, from the 2nd to the 4th of last month while en route to Hawaii.

On the 5th (local time), former commander An presided over a commanders’ meeting of the expeditionary strike group, composed of 13 surface ships from eight countries and about 1,000 marines from nine countries, aboard the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-II) at Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Honolulu, in his capacity as expeditionary strike group commander.

RIMPAC participating countries are conducting familiarization with mission overviews, maneuvering and safety guidelines for various scenarios, and tactical discussions during the scheduled in-port training until the 10th. From the 11th to the 3rd of next month, underway training will include live-fire exercises of fleet air defense guided missiles, maritime combat, theater anti-submarine warfare, free combat, and amphibious assault training. The schedule concludes with a post-exercise debriefing and closing ceremony on August 4th.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command released footage of a joint ship boarding and search exercise conducted by the Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Unit (UDT/SEAL), U.S. Marine Corps special forces, and German maritime interdiction special forces during RIMPAC.