Pacific Perspective:USMC,ROK Marines and Royal Marines Join Forces

Exercise Ssang Yong 23 brought together Marines from three nations-the US,Republic of Korea and the UK-for ten days of high intensity training in ROK.The US Navy Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and ROK Navy supported the drills.Live-fire ranges,ROKMC ranger training,fast roping and rappelling,military free-fall and subject matter expert exchanges characterised the exercise.The drills culminated in an amphibious assault.According to Captain Jonathan Eaton,combat cargo officer,Amphibious Squadron 7:Conducting an over-the-horizon assault from the ARG is an advanced manoeuvre.Conducting an OTH assault as a multinational unit under a single commander of the Amphibious Task Force,across the same beach,demonstrates advanced capabilities as an Allied force.* Said Captain Christian Thiessen,technical information operations officer,13th Marine Expeditionary Unit:This event rehearsed combined forcible entry operations in the event the ARG/MEU is required to join the ROKMC for combat operations.* For its part,40 Commando Royal Marines deployed to Korea for the first time since the Korean War.Their Bravo Company trained in crisis response,disaster relief,amphibious landing and coastal defence scenarios with the USMC and ROKMC.It was part of ongoing Royal Navy efforts in the strategically important region,where the security situation is challenging and complex,the RN said.* Ssang Yong 23 involved around 28,000 Korean and US Sailors and Marines;30 warships;70 aircraft;and 50 amphibious assault vehicles.It took place near the port city of Pohang,on the South Korean coast about 160 mi/257.49 km from the capital Seoul.40 CDO operated as part of a combined surveillance team,helping exercise commanders make crucial operational decisions through reconnaissance actions ashore,and directing strikes onto targets.* Said Major Aran Sandiford RM,RM exercise commander:This deployment has provided a fantastic opportunity to further the Royal Marines' partnership with the ROK Marine Corps and US Marine Corps;two of the foremost amphibious forces in the world.Ultimately,Royal Marines must be able to deploy,sustain and fight anywhere in the world alongside our Allies and Partners.*