Republic of Korea Recovers, Returns U.S. Mine Hunting Equipment

From Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet Public Affairs

KOREA STRAIT (NNS) -- A Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) effort led to the recovery U.S. Navy mine hunting equipment June 9, in waters south of Chinhae, Republic of Korea.

The mine hunting equipment was jettisoned from an MH-53E helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14, following a system malfunction during a mine-hunting exercise May 24.

ROKN coastal mine hunting ship, ROKS Gang Gyeong, was directed by Commander of Republic of Korea Fleet, Vice Adm. Hwang Ki-chul, to locate the detached equipment in response to a request for assistance from Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, Rear Adm. J. Scott Jones.

"Having the Republic of Korea Navy conduct the recovery of this asset is a testament to the close relationship between our navies and our mutual support as we continue to flex our interoperability and outstanding partnership," said Jones.

U.S. Navy liaison officers from HM 14 embarked ROKS Cheong Hae Jin, the ship responsible for the recovery, along with officers from ROK Component Flotilla 5. Also aiding in the recovery of the lost device was ROKS Ong Jin, which provided precise locations to aid the dive team.

The recovered equipment was returned to HM 14, forward deployed to Pohang, Republic of Korea from Norfolk, Va.