CHINHAE, Republic of Korea (South Korea) (Oct. 22, 2017) -- United States Navy Mineman Seaman Hector Camargolopez, assigned to the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14)....prepares to lower the American flag during the evening colors ceremony (at local sunset).
The Chief is training in South Korean waters to enhance its capabilities of finding, classifying and destroying moored and bottom mines....which could be a major impediment to coastal naval operations in the event of any armed conflict with communist rogue-state North Korea (DPRK).
Chief, along with a few other Avenger-class MCMs on station, could diminish the problem significantly....despite the Korean peninsula (both North and South Korea) having nearly 5,000 miles of coastline....and countless tiny inlets, tidal bays, and rugged terrain.
The Avenger MCMs use sonar and video systems, cable cutters and a mine-detonating device that can be released and detonated by remote control. They are also capable of conventional minesweeping measures.
Preparations for mine warfare
This is another example of significantly ramped-up coordination, training and interoperability fine-tuning between the navies of the United States, South Korea and Japan -- each formidable in their own right....and a virtual armada when working together.
Three U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups in the region now
Further exerting pressure on North Korea and China into serious diplomacy rather than more dangerous bellicose acts directed by North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un....
....a third nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group is headed into Far Eastern waters....
....as USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) will, in a few days, join USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)....and USS NImitz (CVN 68)....along with each carrier’s escorting cruisers, destroyers, surveillance aircraft and submarines....
....within a very short cruising distance (and even shorter flying range) from the longtime unsettled -- and recently volatile -- Korean peninsula.
USS Theodore Roosevelt and visible escorts....
Chinhae is in the far-south of South Korea....very close to South Korea’s second most populous city -- Busan (Pusan).
Chinhae -- where the top photo was taken -- is the headquarters/homeport for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), the ROKN Naval Academy, and the only major U.S. Naval base on mainland Asia....
....and one of the most beautiful parts of an already-magnificent South Korea.
I spent nearly a month there 30 years ago as an exchange officer between my own United States Navy and the South Korean Navy.
One of the best times of my life!
I’ve been back to Chinhae and Busan several times since.
My South Korean naval and civilian shipmates and friends treated my like family....and, to this day, they hold a special place in my memories and professional respect.
We learned so much from each other!
And America is still there for our South Korean allies and friends....
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>>Top photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Crouch, USN
