Joint exercise

The Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Kang Gam Chan, took part in a joint exercise with EU NAVFOR’s flag ship French Ship (FS) Siroco.

ROKS Kang Gam Chan carries out joint exercise with EU NAVFOR

The Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Kang Gam Chan, took part in a joint exercise with EU NAVFOR’s flag ship French Ship (FS) Siroco.

ROKS Kang Gam Chan is part of ROK Naval Escort Task Group and is currently in support of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter piracy operations off Somalia.

The exercise tested communication systems and practiced tactical manoeuvring and helicopter cross-decking.

The cross-deck exercise saw the helicopter from each ship transfer to the other ship’s helicopter pad to familiarise the pilots with different flight safety procedures.

During the tactical manoeuvring exercise, the two ships sailed in formation and altered course in accordance with recognised tactical signalling.

Following the successful exercise, Captain Yu Byeong-ju, Commander of the ROK Naval Escort Task Group noted that the joint exercise with EU NAVFOR was a great opportunity to form closer relationships with another coalition force.

Commander Bae Jinseok, Republic of Korea’s Senior National Representative at CMF headquarters in Bahrain, said: “While ROKS Kang Gam Chan works as part of CMF, this type of exercise is very important for improving our ability to work with other nations and coalitions to counter the threat from piracy.”

CTF 151’s mission is to disrupt piracy and armed robbery at sea and to engage with regional and other partners to build capacity and improve relevant capabilities in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation.

Source: Combined Maritime Forces.