The South Korean Navy's 3,100-ton frigate, the Daejeon, has been named the 'Top Gun of the Sea' at the 2026 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world's largest multinational maritime training event.
This marks the first time a South Korean vessel has received this honor since the ROKS Sejong the Great in 2010.
According to the Navy on August 2, the Daejeon achieved the highest score in a live-fire support competition held on July 12 in Hawaii, where 13 ships from 10 countries participated.
The live-fire support competition involved each ship firing five rounds from a 5-inch gun at a target 7.2 kilometers away, with the winner determined by the smallest total deviation from the target. The results were kept confidential until they were announced at the RIMPAC closing ceremony on July 31.
Prior to the competition, the Daejeon crew engaged in tactical discussions and simulated firing exercises to master the firing procedures, which required high levels of mission proficiency and teamwork in the different environmental conditions of the Pacific Ocean.
Captain Lee Jeong-soo of the Daejeon stated, "This award for the best combat ship at RIMPAC is the result of all crew members working together with a single mind during training." He added, "We will continue to enhance our combat capabilities to ensure we can fulfill our assigned missions through realistic training."
Chief Petty Officer Joo Hyo-jin, who is responsible for the ship's gunnery, expressed pride in achieving the honor of 'Top Gun' with his comrades, stating, "Based on the shooting control skills we have developed through practical training, we will maintain perfect combat readiness to accurately strike targets in any situation."
This marks the first time a South Korean vessel has received this honor since the ROKS Sejong the Great in 2010.
According to the Navy on August 2, the Daejeon achieved the highest score in a live-fire support competition held on July 12 in Hawaii, where 13 ships from 10 countries participated.
The live-fire support competition involved each ship firing five rounds from a 5-inch gun at a target 7.2 kilometers away, with the winner determined by the smallest total deviation from the target. The results were kept confidential until they were announced at the RIMPAC closing ceremony on July 31.
Prior to the competition, the Daejeon crew engaged in tactical discussions and simulated firing exercises to master the firing procedures, which required high levels of mission proficiency and teamwork in the different environmental conditions of the Pacific Ocean.
Captain Lee Jeong-soo of the Daejeon stated, "This award for the best combat ship at RIMPAC is the result of all crew members working together with a single mind during training." He added, "We will continue to enhance our combat capabilities to ensure we can fulfill our assigned missions through realistic training."
Chief Petty Officer Joo Hyo-jin, who is responsible for the ship's gunnery, expressed pride in achieving the honor of 'Top Gun' with his comrades, stating, "Based on the shooting control skills we have developed through practical training, we will maintain perfect combat readiness to accurately strike targets in any situation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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