Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Adams | 160305-N-RM689-227 BUSAN, Republic of Korea (March 5, 2016) – Vice Adm. Ki-shik Lee,...... read more read more
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Commander Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs
BUSAN, South Korea - Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) hosted a Big Top reception March 5 while moored at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Fleet Command Busan Harbor.
The event celebrated the continued partnership of the ROK and the U.S. before getting underway to participate in the bi-annual exercise Ssang Yong 16. Attendees included key leaders and supporters of the ROK navy and Marine Corps, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
“Tonight we come together to celebrate the close friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea. A special friendship forged over the past 63 years,” said Rear Adm. John B. Nowell, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, during his welcoming speech. “During our short stay here in Busan, the men and women of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps look forward to engaging with the people of the Republic of Korea, sharing common goals and exchanging customs, culture, and traditions.”
During the reception Nowell spoke to the exercise and how it will be a mutually beneficial exchange between the ROK, the U.S. and the ROK teams would procure as they prepared to commence Ssang Yong, an exercise designed to increase the security of key partners in the region.
“As an expeditionary strike group and Marine expeditionary brigade, we work with our partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region during Ssang Yong, to strengthen our combined combat readiness and interoperability as an amphibious force,” said Nowell. “Ssang Yong 2016 is the largest multilateral amphibious exercise of its kind to date and a tribute to the maturity of the ROK-U.S. relationship.”
Vice Adm. Ki-shik Lee, commander, Republic of Korea Fleet, also addressed the crowd and emphasized the importance of strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance while looking forward to the upcoming exercise.
“The Ssang Yong exercise is one that we carry out with our partners every other year and it is still very meaningful,” said Lee. “This reception that we are sharing together is a place where we can share friendship but additionally is a place where together we can wish for a successful exercise.”
After Lee’s speech, Nowell led the guests in a toast to the U.S.-ROK friendship and the many years to come.
Guest were surrounded by an artistic display of food crafted by the Bonhomme Richard culinary specialists. After the official ceremony, distinguished guests visited Bonhomme Richard’s flight deck and spoke with pilots about the aircraft aboard the ship. The reception closed with a cake cutting ceremony and well wishes for a successful exercise from Bonhomme Richard leaders.
“As we get underway in a few days as a combined forward-deployed force with the ROK navy and Marine Corps, we will exercise the interoperability and combined capability of ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces training across a wide range of military operations from disaster relief, to complex expeditionary operations,” said Nowell. “I look forward to working side-by-side with you during Ssang Yong and in the many years to come.”
While in port Busan the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group hosted theater security cooperation events such as ship tours, distinguished visitor visits, and several community relations events.
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| Date Taken: | 03.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2016 02:05 |
| Story ID: | 191504 |
| Location: | BUSAN, 26, KR |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ROK Navy and Marine Corps officials attend Big Top reception aboard Bonhomme Richard, by PO2 Kelsey Adams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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