138 Midshipmen from the 80th Class of the Naval Academy Included,
Total Squadron of About 400 Personnel
Visiting 10 Ports in 9 Countries,
Dedicated to Training Elite Naval Officers
The Navy Cruise Training Squadron (led by Rear Admiral Hong Sangyong) set sail on a 105-day journey from the Jinhae naval base on September 5, receiving farewells from Navy Operations Commander Hwang Sunwoo, service members, and their families.
The Navy’s cruise training, which began in 1954 and is being held for the 72nd time this year, is an overseas voyage designed to help fourth-year midshipmen, who are about to be commissioned, develop their adaptability to naval vessels and mission execution skills required of naval officers.
This year’s cruise training squadron consists of about 400 people, including 138 midshipmen from the 80th class of the Naval Academy and crew members. The training ship Hansando (ATH, 4,500-ton class) is participating in the voyage.
The cruise training squadron, departing from Jinhae naval base on this day, will visit 10 ports in 9 countries in succession, starting with Guam and Hawaii in the United States, then Auckland in New Zealand, Sydney in Australia, Surabaya in Indonesia, Klang in Malaysia, Changi in Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Manila in the Philippines.
During the voyage, the midshipmen will acquire essential mission execution skills as junior officers through intensive military training, including battle station drills, damage control, equipment practice, operational and tactical exercises, comprehensive combat training, and joint training with the navies of the countries visited.
In addition, by making courtesy visits to major units in the host countries, attending special lectures by key military commanders and officials from Korean embassies, touring historical and cultural sites, and participating in friendship exchanges with local navies and midshipmen, they will broaden their international perspective.
The cruise training squadron will also actively conduct various veteran support activities for the countries that participated in the Korean War, in connection with the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. These activities include appreciation events inviting veterans and their families, visits and volunteer work at local veteran facilities, paying respects at national cemeteries and monuments in participating countries, and hosting a photo exhibition on board the ship to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.
Furthermore, the squadron will promote friendship with the host countries through onboard receptions and cultural performances. A defense industry promotional exhibition will be set up on the Hansando to display a variety of equipment produced by domestic defense companies, supporting the government’s K-Defense exports.
This year’s cruise training will also be joined by fourth-year students from the military studies departments of Chungnam National University, Sejong University, and Hanyang University, which are partner universities for military exchange and cooperation. In addition, junior officers from Australia and Singapore, as well as a midshipman from the Indonesian Navy, will participate in segments of the voyage to observe the training and interact with the midshipmen.
Rear Admiral Hong Sangyong, commander of the cruise training squadron, stated, "In this special year marking the 80th anniversary of the Navy's founding, I am deeply honored to embark on the cruise training with the 80th class midshipmen, who will lead the construction of a strong navy and maritime powerhouse. We will faithfully fulfill our primary mission of nurturing elite naval officers, and at the same time, all crew members and midshipmen will take pride and responsibility as representatives and military diplomats of the Republic of Korea, taking the lead in military diplomacy with the countries we visit."
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