GULF OF ADEN – Last week, NATO warship TCG GELIBOLU, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, conducted a meeting and a joint training with the Republic of Korea Navy ship ROKS CHOI YOUNG. 
The aim of this engagement was to exchange information and improve interoperability between NATO and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in which the Republic of Korea YI SUN-SIN class destroyer is currently deployed.
A delegation led by the commander of the Republic of Korea Navy Expeditionary Task Group (ROKNETG) Captain (ROK N) Sung Mok Choi paid a visit to TCG GELIBOLU, where they were welcomed by her Commanding Officer and staff.
On completion of these talks, TCG GELIBOLU and ROKS CHOI YOUNG conducted joint tactical training, testing both units’ ability to work together within a counter-piracy framework.
“Working together in a cooperative way is what guarantees our ability to preserve freedom of navigation in this part of the world,‚Äù said Commander (TUR N) Olcay Yuksel, TCG GELIBOLU‚Äôs Commanding Officer. “I look forward to more of these meetings with the ROK Navy to achieve that very objective.‚Äù
The last engagement between NATO and Republic of Korea Navy units took place on 30 November 2013, and Captain Sung Mok Choi expressed his intention to reiterate these meetings to foster mutual understanding and interoperability.
Story by HQ MARCOM Public Affairs Office
Via: http://www.aco.nato.int/
