First Naval Mobile Exercise of the New Year Conducted

Large-Scale Jeondaehai Maritime Maneuver Exercise Unveiled After 4 Years in 2019

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The first fleet maritime maneuver exercise of the new year was conducted almost simultaneously by the East Sea 1st Fleet and the South Sea 3rd Fleet. It is the first time in four years since 2019 that the Navy has publicly conducted a large-scale fleet maritime maneuver exercise.

On this day, the Navy explained, "The first fleet maritime maneuver exercise of the new year was conducted simultaneously across all sea areas to establish an all-around constant readiness posture and to raise the fighting spirit for certain victory."

The Navy conducts a fleet maritime maneuver exercise including live-fire drills every early year. The new year fleet maritime maneuver exercise is an annual training conducted every early year to check the combat readiness posture of the fleet and to familiarize soldiers with combat execution procedures. This year’s exercise involved 13 ships including the Eulji Mundeok, 4 aircraft including the AW-159 maritime operation helicopters, and about 1,000 personnel.

On the afternoon of the 4th, the Navy's 2nd Fleet conducted live-fire exercises and tactical maneuver training against air and surface targets off the coast of Taean, Chungnam. The exercises involved the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (3,200 tons), the frigate Cheongju (1,500 tons), the guided missile fast attack craft Hong Siwook (450 tons), patrol boats (230 tons), and aircraft. Cheongju and Hong Siwook are conducting tactical maneuver training. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the afternoon of the 4th, the Navy's 2nd Fleet conducted live-fire exercises and tactical maneuver training against air and surface targets in the waters off Taean, Chungnam. The exercises involved the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (3,200 tons), the frigate Cheongju (1,500 tons), the guided missile fast attack craft Hong Siwook (450 tons), and a patrol boat (230 tons), along with aircraft. Cheongju (far right), Hong Siwook, and the patrol boat are conducting tactical maneuver training. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the afternoon of the 4th, the Navy's 2nd Fleet conducted live-fire exercises and tactical maneuver training for anti-air and anti-ship operations off the coast of Taean, Chungnam. The exercises involved the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (3,200 tons), the frigate Cheongju (1,500 tons), the guided missile fast attack craft Hong Siwook (450 tons), and a patrol boat (230 tons), along with aircraft. Live-fire anti-ship training was conducted from the Cheongju./Photo by Joint Press Corps

The 1st and 3rd Fleets fired a total of 120 rounds, including 83 rounds from 127mm naval guns and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS).

This time, the military unusually opened the vivid scenes of the new year’s all-sea area maritime maneuver exercise to the media. The Combat Information Control Center (CCC), which corresponds to the ‘brain’ of the Eulji Mundeok, was also shown under the premise of not reporting specific details after going through procedures such as signing a security agreement and collecting mobile phones.

Chief of Naval Operations Lee Jong-ho boarded a maritime patrol aircraft (P-3C) and guided the exercise while flying over the East Sea 1st Fleet training area and the West Sea 2nd Fleet training area.

In communication with Kim Dong-seok, Navy Colonel and commander of the 23rd Combat Squadron of the 2nd Fleet, who is the commander of this exercise, Chief Lee said, "We must establish a firm readiness posture that can resolutely retaliate against any provocation by the enemy through relentless training," and ordered, "In case of enemy provocation, we must be prepared to fire immediately upon command."

Captain Kim Guk-hwan of the Eulji Mundeok encouraged through the ship’s broadcast after the live-fire exercise, saying, "Let us not forget today’s precious experience and prepare for a decisive battle to surely sink the enemy if provoked."

Regarding the use of the expression "sink" (水葬), Captain Kim said, "As can be seen from past battles such as the Battle of Yeonpyeong, the West Sea 2nd Fleet area is a place where battles can break out at any time, and illegal vessel seizures and expulsion measures beyond the Maritime Control Area (MCA) continue," emphasizing the importance of training and readiness posture repeatedly.

In fact, three veterans of the First Battle of Yeonpyeong, including Chief Petty Officer Choi Jung-oh, an anti-submarine warfare operator on the Eulji Mundeok, are currently serving actively to protect the West Sea. After successfully completing the first fleet maritime maneuver exercise of the new year, the Eulji Mundeok shouted the fleet slogan, "Certain Victory Fleet 2nd Fleet, smash them if we fight!"

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