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READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Republic of Korea, Oct. 23-24

30 October 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to the Republic of Korea (ROK) alongside Fleet Master Chief Donald L. Davis Jr., Oct. 23-24, 2024, to affirm the ironclad U.S. commitment to our alliance with the ROK, which has bolstered peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific for more than 70 years.
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U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg and U.S. Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg and U.S. Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg and U.S. Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg and U.S. Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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Koehler met with senior ROK and U.S. officials to discuss the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, and ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two countries to deter threats in the region. They also pledged to strengthen the growing trilateral cooperation between U.S., Republic of Korea, and Japan.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Adm. Yang Yong-Mo, chief of naval operations, Republic of Korea Navy, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Adm. Yang Yong-Mo, chief of naval operations, Republic of Korea Navy, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyeok, commander, Republic of Korea Fleet, right, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyeok, commander, Republic of Korea Fleet, right, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyeok, commander, Republic of Korea Fleet, right, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyeok, commander, Republic of Korea Fleet, right, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, at the ROK Navy Submarine Force Command in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, at the ROK Navy Submarine Force Command in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and ROK Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyuk, Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet (CRF), pose for a photo at CRF headquarters in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. Koehler met with Sailors from Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) during his visit to South Korea. CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in South Korea, providing leadership and expertise in naval matters to improve institutional and operational effectiveness between the two navies and to strengthen collective security efforts in Korea and the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and ROK Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyuk, Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet (CRF), pose for a photo at CRF headquarters in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. Koehler met with Sailors from Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) during his visit to South Korea. CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in South Korea, providing leadership and expertise in naval matters to improve institutional and operational effectiveness between the two navies and to strengthen collective security efforts in Korea and the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, his staff, and staff members from U.S. Forces Korea, meet with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, at the ROK Navy Submarine Force Command in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, his staff, and staff members from U.S. Forces Korea, meet with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, at the ROK Navy Submarine Force Command in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)


The meetings included:
  • ROK Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Yang Yong-mo
  • Commander, ROK Submarine Force, Rear Adm. Kang Jeong-ho
  • Commander, ROK Fleet, Vice Adm. Choi Sung-hyeok
  • U.S. Ambassador to ROK, Philip Goldberg
  • Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, Gen. Paul LaCamera
Koehler’s visit included a tour of Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard where Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) is currently undergoing Regular Overhaul (ROH) maintenance.
 
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) while in dry dock in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) while in dry dock in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) while in dry dock in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) while in dry dock in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
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VIRIN: 241024-N-N0801-1001

 
Koehler also toured the War Memorial of Korea with Baek Seung-joo, War Memorial Organization President, to honor the sacrifices of the Korean people and bonds forged between the United States and the ROK in the Korean War.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S Pacific Fleet, center, his staff, and staff members from U.S. Forces Korea pose for a photo at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S Pacific Fleet, center, his staff, and staff members from U.S. Forces Korea pose for a photo at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Baek Seung-joo, president of the Korean War Memorial Organization, at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Baek Seung-joo, president of the Korean War Memorial Organization, at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Baek Seung-joo, president of the Korean War Memorial Organization, right, gives a tour of the memorial to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Baek Seung-joo, president of the Korean War Memorial Organization, right, gives a tour of the memorial to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)

 
Koehler and Davis met with ROK Fleet Sailors during their briefs and tours to ROK Navy submarine ROKS Lee Beom-seok (SS 081) and Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado (LPH 6112). Koehler thanked the crew for their commitment and robust participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
 
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, and his staff meet with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, center left, and the crew of ROK Navy submarine ROKS Lee Beom-seok (SS 081) in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, and his staff meet with Rear Adm. Kang Jeong- ho, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy submarine force, center left, and the crew of ROK Navy submarine ROKS Lee Beom-seok (SS 081) in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Cmdr. Lee, commanding officer, ROK Navy submarine ROKS Lee Beom-seok (SS 081), during a tour of the submarine in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Cmdr. Lee, commanding officer, ROK Navy submarine ROKS Lee Beom-seok (SS 081), during a tour of the submarine in Busan, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes sideboys aboard ROKS Marado (LPH-6112) in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. Koehler met with Sailors from Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) during his visit to South Korea. CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in South Korea, providing leadership and expertise in naval matters to improve institutional and operational effectiveness between the two navies and to strengthen collective security efforts in Korea and the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes sideboys aboard ROKS Marado (LPH-6112) in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. Koehler met with Sailors from Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) during his visit to South Korea. CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in South Korea, providing leadership and expertise in naval matters to improve institutional and operational effectiveness between the two navies and to strengthen collective security efforts in Korea and the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Moses)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Republic of Korea’s Navy Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112) while the ship is repaired in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, his staff, and shipyard employees tour the Republic of Korea’s Navy Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112) while the ship is repaired in Geoje-si, Republic of Korea, Oct. 24, 2024. The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

 
The visit to the Republic of Korea underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.
 

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