Korea-Australia Joint Maritime Exercises Including Anti-Submarine Warfare Training

Training of 'Haedori-Wallaby' Near Ulsan Until the 3rd

The navies of South Korea and Australia have been conducting joint maritime exercises near Ulsan from the 31st of last month until the 3rd of this month.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Navy on the 2nd, this exercise, which has been held since 2012 and is now in its 9th iteration, involved six vessels from the South Korean Navy, including the destroyer Gang Gam-chan (DDH-II), the frigate Gyeongnam (FFG), as well as submarines. P-3 maritime patrol aircraft and Lynx maritime operation helicopters also participated. Australia dispatched the frigate Toowoomba (FFH), MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, and the Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

This year’s joint maritime exercise is named "Haedori-Wallaby." Haedori is the dolphin character of the South Korean Navy, and the wallaby, a marsupial related to kangaroos, symbolizes Australia. The two countries plan to enhance their joint operational capabilities and interoperability through anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, maritime blockade drills, tactical maneuvers, and live-fire naval exercises during the training.

Colonel Park Il-su, commander of the Navy’s 3rd Maritime Battle Group and the exercise commander, said, "The Australian forces are precious comrades who fought alongside us, shedding blood to protect the Republic of Korea during the Korean War." He added, "This exercise has served as an opportunity to not only strengthen friendship between the two countries but also enhance joint operational capabilities."

Lieutenant Colonel Darren McDonald, captain of the Toowoomba, stated, "Through this exercise, we continue the long-standing partnership between the Australian and Republic of Korea navies while improving joint operational capabilities at sea and in the air."

Before participating in the exercise, the Australian Navy’s Toowoomba arrived at Busan Naval Base on the 26th of last month, where it held friendly sports competitions and mutual ship visits. The crew also visited the Busan United Nations Memorial Cemetery to pay tribute and lay flowers in honor of the veterans.