USS Cowpens arrives in Busan, Republic of Korea

By Ens. Kara J. Herman, USS Cowpens Public Affairs Officer

Posted: June 28, 2012

BUSAN, Republic of Korea  – The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, June 27.
 

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (June 27, 2012) Rear Adm. Bill McQuilkin, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, holds a Korean girl alongside Rear Adm. J.R. Haley, commander of Task Force 70, as greetings are exchanged with Rear Adm. Park Sung-bae, commander of Flotilla Five, and Sailors after the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing Five, arrived in Busan for a port visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Travis Simmons) | Download

“We are very fortunate to be able to visit Busan,” said Capt. Tom Disy, Cowpens’ commanding officer. “The citizens here have made us feel welcome, and we look forward to enjoying their culture and friendship.”

The crew and officers of the “Mighty Moo” plan on enjoying all the sights the city has to offer, as well as enjoying Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) hosted tours. The Sailors will also give back to the community with visits to two local orphanages where they will spend time getting to know the children and playing sports.

Cowpens is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is underway in the 7th Fleet area of operations conducting routine maritime 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.