Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Samuel Paparo visited the Republic of Korea June 9 – 11 to meet with Korean military leadership as part of a scheduled, introductory, trip to promote preparedness and partnership in the region. Paparo is the 37th commander since the fleet’s Pearl Harbor headquarters was established in February 1941. U.S. Pacific Fleet advances Indo-Pacific regional maritime security and enhances stability.
“This visit offered a valuable opportunity to meet with the Republic of Korea military leadership to affirm our unwavering commitment to our alliance and reinforce the shared priorities for the region. We have a rich history of partnership in both conflict and in the preservation of peace. Our combined history and common values are the foundation of our alliance and together we will preserve the international rules based order. MADEX was an impressive demonstration of the innovative capabilities Korean defense contractors have developed,” said Paparo.
Paparo’s visit included introductory meetings with the Republic of Korea (ROK) joint chief of staff, the ROK chief of naval operations, the ROK fleet commander, the superintendent of the ROK Naval Academy, and the commander of the ROK submarine force. While in Busan, Paparo’s visit included a tour by the ROK CNO’s staff of the international Maritime Defense Exhibition (MADEX) – a defense industry exhibition event featuring Korean defense contractors that takes place every other year and coincides with the Republic of Korea’s Marine Week.
U.S. Pacific Fleet command is the world’s largest fleet command encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic circle, and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 200 ships/submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 Sailors and civilians.
