Naval Cadets and Navy Cruise Training Squadron Set Sail

110-Day Voyage Across 8 Countries

The Navy's cruising training squadron, carrying future naval officers, departed from Jinhae Naval Base on the 5th to begin a 110-day cruising training mission.

According to the Navy, this year's training includes the training ship Hansando (ATH), the logistics support ship Daecheong (AOE), and about 520 personnel, including 143 cadets from the 79th class of the Korea Naval Academy. The cruising training squadron plans to call at 10 ports in 8 countries in sequence, starting from Hawaii, USA, then Victoria, Canada; San Diego, USA; Acapulco, Mexico; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Papeete, Tahiti; Suva, Fiji; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Guam, USA.

The Hansando will sail alone for most of the route. The Daecheong will participate only in the domestic departure section from Jinhae to Hawaii and the domestic arrival section from Guam to Jinhae. During the training period, the cadets will develop the mission performance capabilities required of junior officers through practical education and training such as combat deployment, tactical maneuvers, air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, navigation practice, mobile logistics, lifesaving, and joint exercises with the navies of the visited countries.

Additionally, they will visit major units of the countries on the tour, attend invited lectures by key military commanders and officials from Korean embassies, tour war and historical sites, and engage in cultural exploration to broaden their international perspective. Furthermore, they will visit countries that participated in the Korean War such as the United States, Canada, and Australia to conduct veterans' welfare activities, pay respects at national cemeteries and war memorials, and perform visits and volunteer work at veterans' facilities. The Hansando is also equipped with a defense industry promotional exhibition hall displaying equipment produced by domestic defense companies to support the government's K-defense export efforts. The training includes participation by fourth-year students from military science departments of partner universities such as Sejong University, Chungnam National University, and Hanyang University, as well as Navy advisory committee members and Australian Navy officers, who will embark on some sections to observe practical training and interact with the cadets.

On this day, a departure farewell ceremony was held under the chairmanship of Navy Operations Commander Lieutenant General Choi Seong-hyeok to encourage the members of the cruising training squadron.

Rear Admiral Kim Dong-rae, commander of the cruising training squadron, said, "We will strive to make this a successful training where cadets acquire the qualities and virtues required of officers," and added, "All members of the training squadron take pride in being representatives of the Republic of Korea and will contribute to military diplomacy."