INCHEON, Republic of Korea (Sept. 17, 2017) – Sailors assigned to Commander, U.S.
Naval Forces, Korea (CNFK), participated in the 67th Annual Incheon Amphibious
Landing Operations Commemoration Ceremony Sept. 15-17.
The landing, codenamed Operation Chromite, occurred Sept. 15, 1950, when General
Douglas MacArthur, supreme commander of United Nations forces, led more than 40,000
troops in the surprise amphibious landing.
The 67th commemoration ceremony began at the Gen. MacArthur Statue in Freedom Park
in Incheon, September 15, where Capt. Hank Kim, chief of staff for CNFK, Adm. Um,
Hyun-Sung, chief of naval operations, Republic of Korea Navy, Incheon city officials,
Korean War veterans and other military members placed flowers at the base of the statue
in honor of the historical event.
“The Incheon Landing was a major success by combined U.S. and ROK forces that really
turned the tide during the Korean War,” said Kim. “Representing the U.S. and CNFK by
not only witnessing, but also participating in this annual ceremony to honor the bravery
and courage of those men was both an incredible and humbling experience.”
Republic of Korea (ROK) nationals including former sailors and marines as well as
families visited the CNFK information and photo display booth to learn about the history
and current mission of the U.S. Navy in Korea.
“It is crucial we honor this event every year,” said Lee, Sang-Kyu, a former ROK
marine. “Incheon landing is a very important moment in Korea’s history and it’s vital we
pass down that knowledge to the younger generations, so they understand the sacrifice
and significance of what happened here so long ago.”
The U.S. and ROK alliance has grown and developed into an enduring partnership that
routinely works together throughout the region on land and in the maritime environment.
These operations include regular scheduled exercises and continuous community
outreach events, which make up the array of photos on display. Throughout each day,
Koreans of all ages stopped in to view the photos, talk with the Sailors and share their
own experiences.
"It was a true honor being able to attend an event of such historic significance to this
country and the U.S. alliance with the ROK,” said Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
3rd Class Alixandria Yang, assigned to Navy Information Operations Detachment, Seoul.
“I loved having the chance to use my Korean language skills to interact with the locals
discussing our shared history and introduce them to a few aspects of American culture as
well.”
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in
the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military
commanders, including the Commander for the United Nations Command, the Combined
Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.
For more news about Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cnfk