Maritime Maneuver Exercises Held to Mark West Sea Defense Day

Surface Ships and More Mobilized in East and West Seas Until March 27

To mark the 11th West Sea Defense Day, the Navy has been conducting maritime maneuver exercises in the East and West Seas since March 24, honoring the sacrifice of the 55 Navy and Marine Corps heroes who defended the West Sea and strengthening the will to fight.

On the 25th, during a maritime maneuver exercise conducted in the central Yellow Sea, the Chungnam-class frigate (FFG-III, 3,600 tons) (first on the right) carried out live-fire training. To commemorate the 10th West Sea Defense Day, the Navy is conducting exercises across all waters of the East, West, and South Seas from March 25 to 27. The exercise involves about 30 surface vessels from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Fleets and the Mobile Fleet, along with submarines, Navy P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, and Air Force KF-16 fighter jets conducting practical training against various threat types, including anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft live-fire drills. 2025.03.26 Photo by the Joint Press Corps

According to the Navy on March 26, the exercises, which will continue through March 27, involve about 20 surface vessels from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Fleet Commands and the Mobile Fleet Command, as well as submarines, P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, and AW-159 maritime operation helicopters.

The 2nd Fleet Command is conducting anti-submarine warfare, localized provocation response, unmanned aerial vehicle response, and simultaneous anti-submarine and anti-ship firing drills in the West Sea. The exercise includes about 10 surface vessels such as the destroyer Eulji Mundeok (DDH-I, 3,200 tons) and the guided-missile fast patrol craft Hwang Do-hyeon (PKG, 450 tons), as well as submarines and P-3 maritime patrol aircraft.

The 1st Fleet Command is carrying out anti-submarine warfare, simultaneous anti-submarine and anti-ship firing, and tactical maneuvers in the East Sea. The exercise features surface vessels such as the destroyer Gwanggaeto the Great (DDH-I, 3,200 tons) and the frigate Daegu (FFG, 3,100 tons), along with submarines and AW-159 maritime operation helicopters.

The 3rd Fleet and Mobile Fleet are also conducting maritime blockade exercises, maritime air defense drills, anti-submarine warfare, and tactical maneuvers in the East Sea.

Brigadier General Jeong Seung-il, commander of the 2nd Maritime Battle Group who supervised the 2nd Fleet's training, said, "Through maritime maneuver exercises that simulate various maritime scenarios, we will establish the highest level of combat readiness."

Meanwhile, on this day, the Navy will hold a memorial ceremony for the 46 sailors of the Cheonan at the 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, presided over by Commander Lee Jaeseop. In addition, a memorial event for late Warrant Officer Han Juho will be held at Jinhaeru Beach Park in Jinhae, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

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