Navy holds fleet exercises in waters off western, southern coasts

The Navy stages a live fleet exercise off the southern coast of Korea, Wednesday. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy

The Navy said Friday it conducted live fleet exercises in waters off the western and southern coasts earlier this week as part of efforts to boost combat readiness.

The four-day drills that began Tuesday, involving around 20 surface ships and naval aircraft, were aimed at honing responses to various maritime contingencies and regional operational environments to ensure each fleet maintains a firm combat readiness posture, the Navy said in a release.

The Second Fleet, in charge of defending the Yellow Sea, deployed the 7,600-ton Aegis-equipped ROKS Yulgok Yi I destroyer, the flagship 3,200-ton Eulji Mundeok warship, and the P-3C and P-8A patrol aircraft, as well as the AW-159 and Lynx naval combat helicopters.

Also joining the drills were the KF-16 fighter of the Air Force and the AH-64E Apache attack chopper of the U.S. Forces Korea.

The Third Fleet based on the southern coast mobilized the 4,400-ton Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer and the 2,500-ton Jeonbuk frigate, along with patrol aircraft and naval helicopters.

The drills in the Yellow Sea focused on countering special operations of an infiltrating enemy at sea and sharpening maneuvers for electromagnetic, anti-submarine, anti-drone and anti-surface warfare.

The exercise off the southern coast was also staged to execute similar drills and check the defense posture of key ports in the area, the Navy said.