ROKS DOSAN AHN CHANGHO AND ROKS DAEJEON MAKE A PORT VISIT TO VICTORIA – FIRST-EVER TRANS-PACIFIC SAIL BY THE ROK SUBMARINE
Press Release
Proved outstanding operational capability of ROK submarines by successfully completing the longest-ever 14,000 km transit
Embarked 2x RCN submariners, crossing the Pacific and strengthening interoperability and partnerships
The 3,000-ton-class SS-III ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and the 3,100-ton-class FFG-II ROKS Daejeon – which will participate in a ROKN-RCN combined exercise – made a port visit to CFB Esquimalt located in Victoria, B.C. on May 24 (KST).
ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and ROKS Daejeon manned the rails for Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Rear-Admiral David Patchell and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to Canada Lim Ki-mo who were ashore prior to their arrival. Manning the rails is an international naval courtesy where the crew are lined up along the rails, rendering respect to another naval ship or to the senior ashore.
ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho set a record in ROK Navy submarine history by making the first-ever crossing of the Pacific. She safely navigated approximately 14,000 km to Victoria, via Guam and Hawaii, after departing from the Jinhae Naval Port on March 25, setting a new record for the longest transit.
Notably, this trans-Pacific sail by ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, following the successful long-range transit from the ROK to Guam by the same-class submarine – ROKS Ahnmu – last year, is a milestone which proves that ROK submarines are capable of conducting prolonged missions without being affected even in the harsh ocean environment. This transit has demonstrated the “operational capability” which is based on having the best living conditions among the same class of submarines and the high equipment reliability.
The two submariners – Lieutenant-Commander Brittany Bourgeois and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Dixon – from RCN Submarine Force, embarked ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho from the point where she was getting underway from Hawaii and participated in the transit and training while communicating with MARPAC via combined C4I systems. This shows the deep trust and interoperability between the two navies, serving as an opportunity to directly demonstrate to Canada the outstanding operational capability and the living conditions of ROK submarines.
“Petty Officer 2nd Class Jake Dixon and I were incredibly excited and honoured to sail aboard ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho as part of this exchange. This was a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from a highly capable partner navy, operate in a different submarine environment, and exchange tactics and perspectives that will directly strengthen our effectiveness,” said Lieutenant-Commander Brittany Bourgeois. “Experiences like this not only broaden us as submariners but also reinforce the strong partnerships that are essential to modern naval operations.”
“The successful first-ever trans-Pacific sail by the Korean submarine is a remarkable accomplishment that clearly demonstrates the outstanding performance and world-class technology of submarines built by the Republic of Korea that conduct sustained missions even in the harsh ocean environment,” said Captain Lee Byung Il, commanding officer of ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho. “Having confirmed the strong trust between our navies by working side-by-side with RCN submariners, we will continue to seamlessly execute the missions assigned to us for the remainder of our time in order to deeply engrave the unique excellence of the best existing diesel submarine.”
Meanwhile, the official welcome ceremony for ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and ROKS Daejeon will be hosted by the RCN on May 25