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| Image: Flickr User - U.S. Pacific Fleet |
By Petty Officer 1st Class Ty C. Connors, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea Public Affairs
BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Senior leaders from the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies met at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea to discuss ways to increase the combined naval partnership.
The Strategic Dialogue, a biannual conference which focuses on strengthening communication and improving interoperability between the two navies, is the ninth meeting centered on the future of the partnership and the first held at the new CNFK headquarters in Busan.
ROK Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Planning and Management, Rear Adm. Chung, Jung-Soo, joined Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval forces Korea, in hosting the daylong event.
"This dialogue involved in-depth discussions about warfighting readiness, force development, and infrastructure establishment," said Chun, "and each conversation greatly helps both navies enhance our collaboration and establish a combined defense posture."
The discussion, which included 21 ROKN and CNFK leaders, discussed the strategic us of areas such as training, workforce, communication, and joint operations.
"The Strategic Dialogue is a cornerstone of our relationship," said Cooper. "There is simply no substitution for the face-to-face and honest discussions we have in these meetings. The region is dynamic, the challenges are constant, and the threats are real; but this dialogue is the perfect venue to discuss our mutual way forward to ensure both navies remain shoulder-to-shoulder in strategy and future operations."
The series of dialogues, planned and coordinated by CNFK and ROKN headquarters, are part of the larger cooperation efforts which include annual joint exercises, symposiums, various community relations projects, and continual participation in official ceremonies.
"It is a one important piece of the much larger partnership we enjoy," said Cmdr. Dan Fillion, CNFK assistant chief of staff for security cooperation and policy. "We have a complex relationship, and in any relationship communication is vital, so I think the series of dialogues are very beneficial to both navies."
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the commander of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea.