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The Commanding Officer of a Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) minesweeper has been welcomed aboard Royal Australian Navy minehunter HMAS Diamantina by his counterpart, Lieutenant Commander Darren McDevitt.
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The Commanding Officer of Diamantina hosted Captain Soon Lee and his staff in Busan, Korea, escorting the visitors for a tour of the ship, alongside Commander Brett Dawe, the RAN Task Group Commander, and the Commanding Officer of HMAS Gascoyne, Lieutenant Commander Sean Aitken.
During the ship’s tour both groups talked about the similarities of tasks and equipment supporting Mine Warfare operations, and the mine-disposal remotely operated vehicle and the diving re-compression equipment were reportedly "highlights", generating much discussion around capability and endurance.
Captain Lee was very pleased to have the opportunity to visit Diamantina and see the ships he will be exercising with first hand.
“It is a great achievement for the Australian Navy to send these minehunters such a long way to join us here for the exercise,” CAPT Lee said.
CMDR Dawe exchanged cultural and Navy mementos with CAPT Lee, while LCDR McDevitt and LCDR Aitken made similar exchanges with ROKN Squadron unit Commanding Officers.
LCDR McDevitt thanked the visitors for joining them on the ship.
“We are proud to host you here today and look forward to the upcoming exercise and to share our skills and knowledge in mine warfare,” he said.
“The collaboration displayed is a positive reflection of the enthusiasm both groups have for the exercise ahead.”
CMDR Dawe was pleased with the can-do attitude demonstrated by his team and the two minehunter crews.
“Our contribution to the success of this visit will be apparent in the ability to share knowledge and enhance the existing bonds between our nations,” CMDR Dawe said.
Diamantina and Gascoyne are taking part in the multinational Mine Countermeasure Symposium and Mine Ware Exercise in the Republic of Korea as part of a four-month East Asian Deployment.
