In a fitting end to a military exercise in defending the Republic of Korea (ROK) against external aggression, a new maritime operational plan was signed March 20 shortly after allied "victory" was declared from the simulated conflict.
The commanders of both the U.S. and Korean naval forces during the simulation -- U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John M. Bird and the deputy commander, ROK Vice Adm. Park Jung-hwa -- signed the new war plan into effect during a reception aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), which served as the hub for maritime command and control during the annual exercise Key Resolve 2009.
The revised operational plan, commonly called OPLAN in military circles, was the result of nearly 18 months of close interaction between the two countries' navies.
"The close cooperation between the 7th Fleet and ROK Fleet is represented in the detailed planning and coordination that is described in this comprehensive plan of action," said ROK Capt. Park Sung Bae, who co-led the operational planning team with his U.S. counterpart, Marine Corps Col. Philip Lark.
"This is another example of the close relationship and teamwork between Koreans and Americans," added Lark, who serves as 7th Fleet's head planner and fleet marine officer.
According to Lark, the process began after U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Jang Soo signed an agreement that would transfer to Korea the lead for operational control of its forces by 2012. Under the current arrangement, the two nations' military forces are separately commanded in peace time, but if a conflict broke out, the combined forces commander – a general in the U.S. Army – would take full operational control of all forces.
Vice Adm. John M. Bird, who also commands the U.S. 7th Fleet, would serve as the combined naval component commander, giving him operational control all the U.S. and Korean Navy forces in the conflict. The revised OPLAN shifts many maritime mission areas under the direct control of Park, his Korean counterpart and deputy, who commands the Republic of Korea Fleet during peacetime.
By 2012 their roles will have shifted, with the Korean fleet commander leading the maritime fight with the U.S. 7th Fleet in a supporting role.
Regardless of the command and control arrangement, Bird stressed, the two countries' efforts are a powerful deterrent to aggression of any potential enemy.
"Even though our operational control roles may reverse, our commitment to working together to defend Korea has not changed one bit," Bird said.
Park agreed and added that even though the operational plan details how to deal with a conflict, the overall goal is to avoid one.
"I am pleased to formalize this plan with our U.S. counterparts," said Park. "Our signatures here serve as a reminder to all that the U.S. and the Republic of Korea stand ready to fight side by side to defend this free nation."
Matthew Schwartz (NNS)
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