USS Pinckney Docks in Pyengtaek, South Korea

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) arrived in Pyeongtaek, South Korea April 27 as part of a regularly scheduled port visit.

While in Pyeongtaek, Pinckney’s crew of more than 300 Sailors will take part in training and cultural exchanges with the Republic of Korea navy Sailors assigned to the South Korean Second Fleet.

U.S. Sailors are also planning to join their Korean counterparts for an outreach project in the local community.

“Our crew is very excited about visiting the Republic of Korea, a nation with which we have a longstanding and interconnected history,” said Cmdr. Frank E. Okata, commanding officer of Pinckney. “We are looking forward to interacting with our Republic of Korea navy counterparts in numerous engagements including a joint navy community service project. The Pinckney crew also offers their condolences to the fallen and missing passengers of the Korean ferry Sewol and their families during this period of mourning.”

Pinckney is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region supporting U.S. 7th Fleet operations. The ship is homeported in San Diego, Calif. and serves as a multi-mission platform designed to operate independently or with an associated aircraft carrier strike group. With its two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, Pinckney is designed for search and rescue, as well as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, naval gunfire support, and logistics support missions.

The U.S. 7th Fleet maintains routine presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific to help promote security and peace and develop partnerships with friends and allies throughout the region.

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Press Release, April 29, 2014; Image: US Navy