Chinae, Republic of Korea - Sailors assigned to U.S. Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) participated in the 57th annual Jinhae Gunhangje military port festival, April 5 and 6.

Jointly hosted by Republic of Korea Rear Adm. Lee Su Yeol, commander of Jinhae Navy Base Command, and the Jinhae Festival Committee, it honors Admiral Yi Sun Shin, a great naval hero of Korea, whose victories still inform the fighting spirit of the ROK Navy. 

Each year since 1953, the festival has been held to celebrate the spirit of Chungmugong (the honorary name given to the great military commanders of the Joseon Dynasty) and to promote the local culture and arts.  

Many cultural events are included in the week-long festival, held this year from the 1st through the 10th of April. 

The events include art exhibits and world military music concerts, all under the boughs of the 360,000 cherry blossom trees in Jinhae.

"We're happy to support our ally's celebration of his honorable heritage," said Cmdr. J.R. Ewing, commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae.

On April 6, CFAC hosted an open base event, at which more than 1,300 visitors from the community visited the U.S. Navy facility to see what the Sailors stationed in their neighborhood do every day.

"It was a great time for our Sailors to share family entertainment and American foods," Ewing said.

CFAC's mission is to provide on-peninsula service, expertise and material support to the fleet, Sailors, Department of Navy civilians and their families. It operates and maintains Navy installation assets on the Korean peninsula and protects Navy assets on the CFAC installation.