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DONGHAE, Republic of Korea –
The guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) and Republic of
Korea Ship Won Ju (PCC 769) became sister ships after a formal
ceremony held on board Mustin July 26.
Mustin’s Commanding Officer Cmdr.
Michael V. Misiewicz and Won Ju’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Kim
Jun-Young attended the special event alongside officers and senior
enlisted leaders.
“In the mist of the joint exercise
Invincible Spirit, it is only fitting that we solidify a permanent
bond between Mustin and our sister ship from the Republic of Korea
Navy,” said Misiewicz “This visit to Donghae was the second time
that ROKS Won Ju has volunteered to be our sister ship. The
camaraderie that we have shared with ROKS Won Ju officers and crew
on both visits has made our time in Donghae better and clearly is a
strong indication of our future lasting friendship and commitment to
each other.”
The ceremony commenced with a signing
of certificates to signify their pledge to one another that they
would be sister ships forever. Each ship exchanged gifts to
commemorate the event; as Won Ju gave Mustin a frame with the ten
historic phrases said by Admiral Yi, who won 23 sea battles and is
considered legend in Korean history. Mustin in turn provided Won Ju
a plaque of the Mustin’s crest and namesake.
The two sister ships continued their
commitment with one another by competing in a game of soccer,
enjoying a post match barbecue and singing alongside each other at a
church service.
Mustin is assigned to Destroyer
Squadron 15, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and patrols the
7th Fleet Area of Responsibility conducting routine operations.
Operating in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th
Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, covering
48 million square miles, with approximately 60-70 ships, 200-300
aircraft, and 40,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any time.
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