Haesa Cadet Circumnavigation Training Squadron Departs for 72-Day Voyage

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The '2020 Navy Cruise Training Squadron' set sail from Jeju Military-Civilian Complex Tourist Port in Jeju Island on the 14th, embarking on a 72-day education and training mission, the Navy announced.

The cruise training squadron, led by Brigadier General Kim Kyung-chul, consists of about 540 personnel, including 147 cadets from the 75th class of the Korea Naval Academy. They will visit countries in the Americas and Southeast Asia aboard the destroyer ROKS Gang Gam-chan (4,400-ton class) and the new logistics support ship ROKS Soyang (10,000-ton class).

This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, the duration and port calls have been significantly reduced. Last year, the squadron circumnavigated the globe over 143 days, visiting 14 ports in 12 countries.

This training is conducted in two phases: 43 days of blue-water training including visits to Port Klang, Malaysia, and Guam, a U.S. territory, and 29 days of domestic training centered around Jeju Island in the East, West, and South Seas.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, the Navy required training participants to stay on board the ships two weeks prior to departure and conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

To prepare for symptomatic cases, isolated spaces with independently operable air conditioning systems were established within the ship compartments. The medical staff was increased from four to six, and telemedicine support systems were set up in cooperation with the Armed Forces Medical Command.

When docking abroad, only military supplies will be loaded, and if contact with external personnel is unavoidable, personnel will wear protective suits and equipment, and items brought aboard will be pre-disinfected externally. Non-face-to-face education has also been newly introduced, with online lectures by domestic and international experts using commercial satellites.

Limited military diplomatic activities will be conducted at only two ports of call. At Port Klang, Malaysia, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea-Malaysia diplomatic relations, a self-produced shipboard performance photo will be presented to the Malaysian Navy.

At Guam, a 'comprehensive quarantine gift set' containing masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant wipes will be gifted. The Navy explained this is to express gratitude to veterans on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. The Navy also added that it will carry out overseas compatriot support activities, including delivering 10,000 quarantine masks to overseas diplomatic missions in the port countries.

Commander Kim Kyung-chul of the cruise training squadron stated, "Although this year is challenging due to COVID-19, we will complete the given educational objectives based on thorough quarantine measures, continuing the tradition of strong education and training and taking a step forward toward becoming an advanced navy."

The Navy cruise training is designed to cultivate practical adaptation skills for fourth-year cadets about to be commissioned. Since its first implementation in 1954, this year marks the 67th iteration.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.