As part of routine ongoing combined training, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy 631st Squadron hosted aircrew from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 Det. 3 at the ROK Navy water survival training facility in Pohang

The training allowed aircrews from both navies to practice critical, hands-on Search and Rescue (SAR) training that enhanced mutual understanding and interoperability.

The ROK Navy’s pool training center features wave, wind, and fog generators with noise and light special effects that effectively simulate the complex sensory demands of a real world SAR scenario.

“Our Korean partners were very gracious to host us in their water survival facility which rivals any training facility our aircrew have been able to train at in the United States,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Rice, officer in charge, HSC-25 Det. 3.  “This was an outstanding opportunity for some friendly competition in addition to high fidelity pool training in preparation for further combined SAR training.”

Before the formal SAR training began, 631st aircrew challenged HSC-25 Det. 3 to a friendly aircrew competition that included an eight-person relay, requiring each team member to complete a roundtrip length of the Olympic size swimming pool wearing “full” flight gear to include flight suit, boots, helmet, and survival vest.

"This was an absolutely fantastic opportunity to enhance the friendship between our two units.  I believe we are the most combined ROK-US units,” said Warrant Officer Jeong, Moon-kay. “Language is not a problem at all; we are one team and one Navy."

The SAR portion of the training was conducted in the hoisting pool where rescue swimmers practiced one of the most challenging parts of a rescue: water entry and recovery. U.S. and ROK aircrew took turns practicing rescues using a rescue strop and basket, enabling the units to assess procedural standardization and practice integration in preparation for real-world SAR scenarios.

“This was an excellent opportunity for rescue swimmers of two nations to come together and understand our rescue procedures are remarkably similar,” said Naval Air Crewman First Class Eric Veditz, leading petty officer, HSC-25 Det. 3. “We have the same goal: ‘So Others May Live.’”

HSC-25 Det. 3 is conducting joint training with the ROK Navy 631st Squadron to enhance interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance. HSC-25 provides a multi-mission rotary wing capability for units in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and maintains a Guam-based 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation capability, directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas. HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfk.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit www.navy.mil/.