The South Korean Navy’s Cheonan frigate (FFG-II, 3,100-ton class), part of the 2nd Fleet Command, has earned the title of the Navy’s best gunnery combat ship, also known as the “Top Gun of the Sea.” This achievement comes just one year after the Cheonan was commissioned for operations in December last year.
According to South Korean military officials on Monday, the Navy evaluates its ships’ gunnery capabilities annually to ensure combat readiness. This evaluation includes live-fire drills against surface and aerial targets, simulated missile and torpedo launches, teamwork among gunnery personnel, and the operational skills of combat system operators. The ship that achieves the highest score is named the best gunnery combat ship.
The Navy held its gunnery competition for best combat ship selection from September to October. After preliminary rounds within each fleet, selected ships competed in surface combat drills. The evaluation criteria included accuracy, compliance with firing procedures, and teamwork among combat system operators, leading to the selection of the best-performing ship.
The current Cheonan is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Park Yeon Su, who served as an operations officer aboard the original Cheonan (PCC, 1,000-ton class) during the Cheonan sinking incident.
Additionally, Master Sergeant Seo Bo Sung, who served as a fire control officer aboard the original Cheonan during the incident, is now responsible for operating various combat systems and weaponry on the current Cheonan. Staff Sergeant Ryu Ji Wook, who worked in communications during the incident, now manages and maintains the communication networks necessary for mission execution aboard the vessel.
Master Sergeant Seo Bo Sung stated, “With a determination to avenge the 46 Cheonan heroes, I dedicated myself to the firing drills. I want to dedicate the glory of the Top-Gun vessel to the 46 Cheonan heroes, including the late Master Chief Petty Officer Nam Gi Hoon, who guided us in gunnery and fire control training with utmost dedication 15 years ago.”
Lieutenant Commander Yoon Sung Hoon, the Cheonan’s combat systems officer, remarked, “The crew of the Cheonan is equipped with a resolute will to strike back and sink any enemy that provokes us. We will maintain an overwhelming combat posture that strikes fear into our adversaries.”
Meanwhile, the Navy recognized other outstanding vessels for gunnery performance: Gwangmyeong (PCC, 1,000-ton class) from the 3rd Fleet as Best Combat Patrol Ship; Yoon Young Ha (PKG, 450-ton class) from the 2nd Fleet as Best Missile Patrol Ship; the 237th Squadron from the 2nd Fleet as Best High-Speed Boat Squadron; Chamsuri-216 (PKMR, 230-ton class) from the 2nd Fleet as Best High-Speed Boat; Son Won Il (SS-II, 1,800-ton class) as Best Submarine; and the 615th Aviation Battalion as Best Aviation Battalion.