US Marines Conduct Joint Amphibious Landing With South Korea And Send Thousands Of Troops And 23-ton Vehicles
The US Marines conduct joint Amphibious Landing with South Korea in the country's southeastern coast. The exercise, which took place on Monday, involved US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and South Korean Marines, and aimed to improve interoperability and combat readiness.
The US Marines conduct joint Amphibious Landing with South Koreain the country's southeastern coast. The exercise, which took place on Monday, involved US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and South Korean Marines, and aimed to improve interoperability and combat readiness.
North Korea has been developing a ballistic missile arsenal on the claimed premise of deterring an assault by US and South Korean forces.
Washington and Seoul have been demonstrating their firepower in a series of drills, all of which the two allies claim are defensive in purpose.
On Wednesday morning, though, they utilized thousands of troops and high-tech weapons to rehearse an amphibious assault, an aggressive operation aimed to grab territory rather than protect it.
Massive Military Drill: U.S. and South Korea Join Forces for Largest Exercise in 5 Years | WION
The joint exercise, dubbed "Blue Chromite," began with a combined air and sea assault. US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft and CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters transported the Marines from the sea to the shore, while South Korean amphibious assault vehicles landed on the beach. The Marines then conducted live-fire exercises and maneuvered on the beach.
The exercise also included a combined arms assault, with Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tanks and AAV7 amphibious vehicles, as well as South Korean K1A1 tanks and KAAV7 amphibious vehicles.
The commander of the 2,200 US Marines participating in Exercise Ssang Yong near Pohang on South Korea's southern coast defended the exercise as non-provocative.
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I don’t think we’re doing anything different or odd.- Col. Samuel Meyer, commander of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The purpose of the exercise was to improve the US and South Korean militaries' ability to work together in the event of a crisis or conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
It comes amid ongoing tensions with North Korea and its nuclear weapons program, as well as recent provocations, including multiple missile launches.
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[The exercise] serves as an example of the strong military partnership and enduring friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea.- US Marine Corps
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[The exercise demonstrated the] combined readiness posture against all potential threats.- The South Korean Ministry of National Defense
In 2023, however, little appears to be routine on the Korean Peninsula or in East Asia as a whole.
On Tuesday, when Meyer talked with reporters onboard the 45,000-ton USS Makin Island, effectively a tiny aircraft carrier, a genuine 98,000-ton US Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, was conducting its own operations off the peninsula.
Closer to the Pohang beach, at least six South Korean military boats could be spotted in support, delivering troops ashore for Exercise Ssang Yong.
Meanwhile, North Korean official media released images of leader Kim Jong Un reviewing nuclear weapons and urging his military to be prepared to use them "anytime and anyplace."
To the north, Russia, a North Korean ally, was launching cruise missiles at a target off the Korean Peninsula's east coast.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been high since discussions between then-US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fell down after three meetings, the most recent in 2019.
"Blue Chromite" is one of many joint exercises conducted by the US and South Korean militaries. In 2022, the two countries conducted a similar amphibious landing exercise, "Ssang Yong," which involved nearly 10,000 troops.
The joint exercises have been a source of tension with North Korea, which has viewed them as a provocative display of force. In the past, North Korea has responded with missile launches and threats of military action.
The joint amphibious landing operation by the US and South Korean militaries demonstrates the strong military partnership between the two countries and their readiness to respond to potential threats.
As tensions with North Korea continue, such exercises will likely continue to be an important aspect of the US-South Korea alliance.
Elisa Mueller, a Kansas City native, grew up surrounded by the wonders of books and movies, inspired by her parents' passion for education and film.
She earned bachelor's degrees in English and Journalism from the University of Kansas before moving to New York City, where she spent a decade at Entertainment Weekly, visiting film sets worldwide.
With over 8 years in the entertainment industry, Elisa is a seasoned journalist and media analyst, holding a degree in Journalism from NYU. Her insightful critiques have been featured in prestigious publications, cementing her reputation for accuracy and depth.
Outside of work, she enjoys attending film festivals, painting, writing fiction, and studying numerology.
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