Division-Level Amphibious Landing Exercise in Pohang, Gyeongbuk until the 7th
First Participation of US Amphibious Combat Vehicles and Drone Operations Command in Training
The '2024 Ssangryong Exercise,' a division-level amphibious landing training, is currently underway in the Pohang area of Gyeongbuk.
On the 2nd, the ROK-US Navy and Marine Corps mobilized ships, aircraft, and armored vehicles to conduct a three-dimensional amphibious operation from sea and air. The landing training proceeds through five stages: ▲ planning ▲ embarkation ▲ rehearsal ▲ movement ▲ decisive action. The highlight of the Ssangryong Exercise, which began on the 26th of last month and will continue until the 7th, was the 'decisive action' stage conducted along the coastal areas of Dokseori and Hwajin-ri in Songra-myeon, Pohang. First, the drone reconnaissance unit operated by the Drone Operations Command transmitted reconnaissance information, and ROK-US special forces covertly infiltrated by sea and air to gather intelligence on enemy situations and guide strikes.
Subsequently, US Marine Corps F-35B fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters launched from US naval vessels struck enemy targets to create favorable conditions for landing. Then, landing forces aboard the ROK Marine Corps' Landing Assault Armored Vehicles (KAAV) and US Marine Corps' wheeled Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) conducted a sea assault to secure a bridgehead. The US Navy's Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and the ROK Navy's Landing Ship Fast (LSF) deployed armored vehicles and tanks to the shore, projecting combat power.
Simultaneously, from the air, landing forces parachuted from Air Force C-130 transport aircraft to the ground, and an air assault was carried out using US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft, ROK Marine Corps MUH-1 helicopters, Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and Navy UH-60 helicopters.
On this day, about 40 naval vessels participated, including the ROK Navy's Marado and Dokdo ships and the US Navy's Boxer ship; approximately 40 aircraft, including ROK-US helicopters, transport planes, and US combat aircraft; and about 50 vehicles, including the ROK Marine Corps' Landing Assault Armored Vehicles and the US Marine Corps' wheeled Amphibious Combat Vehicles.
Notably, this was the first time the US Marine Corps' next-generation amphibious operation equipment, the wheeled Amphibious Combat Vehicle, participated in the Ssangryong Exercise. It was also the first time the ROK military's Drone Operations Command took part in the regular amphibious training Ssangryong Exercise.
Initiated in 2012, the Ssangryong Exercise was conducted at the brigade level until 2018, then suspended during the Moon Jae-in administration, and resumed at the division level last year. This year, two US Marine Corps maneuver units participated, and the British Marine Commando unit also took part for the second consecutive year following last year.
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