South Korean Navy Training Ship Makes First-Ever Port Call At U.S. Naval Air Station In Florida

A South Korean Navy training ship has made its first-ever port call at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Republic of Korea’s stop at the Florida base.

On 26 October 2026, Monday, tenant command sailors and Marines stood awaiting the arrival of the Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Hansando (ATH-81) at Allegheny Pier in Pensacola.

According to the local news station WEAR, citing AJP, the ship carried nearly 400 personnel, including cadets, crew, and support staff, under the Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group (CTTG).

According to the U.S. Navy and the Korean Embassy, the vessel was part of a training deployment. Their visit is part of a four-month mission and aims to provide the cadets with practical training and deepen ties with partner navies.

South Korea’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kang Kyung-wha, visited the ship on October 27 and spoke to the senior midshipmen from the Korea Naval Academy about Korea’s role in the global community and the importance of the alliance between Korea and the U.S., the embassy said.

NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra Newman opened a welcome ceremony, saying the visit gives both crews a chance to share experiences, learn about each other’s naval traditions and build lasting connections.

The visiting crew was welcomed with southern barbecue and ice-cold Coca-Cola, while local Korean community members were invited aboard the Hansando.

Korean Navy Lieutenant Commander Sang Ho Yoon said that the visit is for “strengthening the Korean and U.S. Navy alliance”.

He added that the crew plans to visit the war memorial in downtown Pensacola to thank Korean War veterans in the area. They also scheduled a friendly football match with U.S. personnel and a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum.

The Hansando is set to make port visits in places like Guatemala, Tahiti, Fiji, and Panama. Pensacola is one of the only three scheduled U.S. stops on the deployment, along with Hawaii and Baltimore.

The training ship stayed in Pensacola until October 29, Thursday, to explore the area and pay tribute to local military history. The ship’s next destination is Baltimore.

The ship remains underway until January, until its return to South Korea.