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Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group enters Port of Alexandria

By Manal Abdel Fattah

Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group “CTTG” enters Alexandria, Egypt on Friday, November 24th, as its 9th port of call

According to a press release, said that Around 460 sailors including approximately 150 midshipmen from the 78th class of ROK Naval Academy “ROKNA”, are on board the ROKS Hansando and ROKS Hwacheon in the 7th circumnavigation in the history of ROKN Cruise Training.

CTTG will organize multiple events including exchange between ROK Egyptian Naval Forces, wreath laying ceremony at the Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial, on-board reception, ship tours and defense industry exhibition.

The 2023 CTTG is entering the port of Alexandria, Egypt as its ninth port of call from November 24th to November 27th for 4 days. This year marks the 9th visit of CTTG to Egypt, and it has been 4 years since its last visit in 2019.

CTTG is currently on its 7th circumnavigation to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of ROKN Cruise Training. During the training period of 141 days, 13 ports from 12 countries will be visited and around 30,000 nautical miles, approx. 55,600km, a distance 1.5 times the circumference of the Earth, will be sailed.

This year’s CTTG is composed of a total of around 460 sailors, including approximately 150 midshipmen from the 78th class of ROKNA. Training ship ROKS Hansando, ATH, 4,500t, and combat support ship ROKS Hwacheon, AOE- I. 4,200t, are participating in the training.

The ROKN Cruise Training started in 1954 with the 9th class of ROKNA midshipmen. 1st class, Senior, midshipmen participate in this ocean navigation training to familiarize with ships and to develop mission accomplishment skills before commissioning as naval officers.

On the first day of visit, in the evening of November 24th, CTTG will host an on-board reception for Egyptian Naval Forces and Korean residents on the flight deck of ROKS Hansando to fortify friendship between the two countries. This will also be a time for Korean residents to quell their homesickness and promote national pride.

On the second day of visit, as part of military diplomacy, the CTTG will spend time to pay respect at the Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial and visit the Egyptian Naval Force Command to fortify friendship between two nations’ Navy.

On the third day of visit, sailors and midshipmen of CTTG will engage in ROK Egypt Navy mutual exchange activity through Alexandria Naval Base and Ship tours and visits to the Egyptian Naval Academy. Additionally, they will have time to understand the history and culture of Egypt by participating in a cultural excursion to the Library of Alexandria and Pyramids at Cairo.

CTTG will host a Defense Industry Exhibition on board ROKS Hwacheon in tandem with the ROK ship tour. Viewers can see with their own eyes the prowess of the Korean Defense Industry and the ‘Navy Sea Ghost’, Guardian Harmonized with Operating manned Systems and Technology-based unmanned system.

Upon completion of its schedule in Alexandria, Egypt, CTTG will pass through the Suez Canal and head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the next port of call.

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