▲ This photo of Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is provided by the Pacific Fleet. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

RIMPAC-S Korea

U.S. Pacific Fleet vice admiral says 'extremely pleased' with S. Korean Navy's RIMPAC performance

SEOUL, July 12 (Yonhap) -- A senior U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said Sunday he was "extremely pleased" with the South Korean Navy's performance during this year's Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), praising Seoul's expanded leadership role in the multinational drills.

Rear Adm. Kim In-ho is serving as RIMPAC's combined maritime component commander, making South Korea the first Asian country and the fourth nation outside the United States to hold the post.

The U.S.-led multinational maritime exercise began June 24 and is scheduled to run through July 31 in Hawaii, bringing together more than 25,000 personnel from 31 countries, including South Korea.

"We are very happy to partner with the Republic of Korea and Rear Adm. In-Ho Kim and his team. I am extremely pleased with their performance," Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said in a written response to Korean media.

"The Republic of Korea continues to contribute highly capable and modern platforms that contribute significantly to the exercise and demonstrate the professionalism of the Republic of Korea Navy," he said.

South Korea deployed the Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and the 3,000-ton submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho for this year's exercise, among other assets.

"As with every participating nation, these forces will train across a wide range of maritime operations, allowing us to improve interoperability, strengthen partnerships and increase our collective readiness," Jablon said.

Asked how North Korea's growing military capabilities and China's military activities would be reflected in RIMPAC, he said, "Recent global events and conflicts have had no impact on this RIMPAC."

"RIMPAC isn't about any one particular country or sending a message to any one adversary, it's about building the readiness and interoperability we need to operate effectively together, whenever and wherever that's required," he responded.

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