Philippine Navy frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (150) sends off Republic Of Korea Navy ships ROKS Hansando (ATH 81) and ROKS Hwacheon (AOE 59). BRP Jose Rizal and ROKS Hwacheon carried out Replenishment-At-Sea Approaches (RASAP) while underway. Replenishment at sea (RAS) (North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Commonwealth of Nations) is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. First developed in the early 20th century, it was used extensively by the United States Navy as a logistics support technique in the Pacific theatre of World War II, permitting U.S. carrier task forces to remain at sea indefinitely. The Republic Of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group recently visited the country, coinciding with the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
Two South Korean Navy vessels carrying more than 400 sailors made a port call in Manila as part of its 7th circumnavigation to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice agreement. The South Korean Navy cruise training task group (CTTG), composed of helicopter training ship ROKS Hansando and combat support ship ROKS Hwacheon, berthed at the Manila South Harbor on Dec. 27. CTTG Commander RDML Choong-ho Cho said the visit marks the 70th Korean War ceasefire by promoting maritime security and the shared universal values of freedom and peace. The visit, he said, also aims to “enhance friendship and military diplomacy” with the country.
At least 22 states supported South Korea when the Korean War broke out, including Manila that sent a total of 7,420 Filipino soldiers under the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK). When the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953, the hostilities that killed millions of civilians were suspended and the 241-kilometer long demilitarized zone (DMZ) was formed. The South Korean Embassy in Manila said the training group will be holding a series of activities during its seven-day port call until Jan. 2. The South Korean Navy group will visit the Korean War memorial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for a wreath laying ceremony.
It will also organize a Defense Industry Exhibition on board ROKS Hwacheon and host Philippine Navy officers to showcase South Korea’s Navy Sea GHOST or Guardian Harmonized with Operating manned Systems and Technology-based unmanned system. The training group will also hold a passing exercise with the BRP Jose Rizal of the Philippine Navy to refortify the relationship between the two Navies, it said. The CTTG is currently on its 7th circumnavigation and is traveling around 30,000 nautical miles with 460 sailors, including approximately 150 midshipmen from the 78th class of ROKNA onboard.
