21-03-2025
S. Korean, US Marines hold combined arms, infantry drills
South Korean and US Marines have conducted a three-week combined arms and infantry exercise to enhance their joint operational capabilities and sharpen combat techniques, the South's Marine Corps said Friday.
Some 1,100 troops from South Korea's 1st Marine Division and the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force joined the drills conducted in the southeastern city of Pohang and the border cities of Pocheon and Paju from March 3 through Friday, according to the Marine Corps.
The drills mobilized air and ground assets from both sides, including the South's K808, K1A2 tanks and the MUH-1 Marineon helicopter and the US CH-53E and AH-1Z choppers, it said.
Troops first took part in infantry training in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, before joining the second segment of combined arms training held at military facilities in Paju and Pocheon, both north of Seoul.
Lt. Gen. Ju Il-Seok, the commandant of the ROK Marine Corps, and Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, inspected the training and encouraged troops, the Marine Corps said.
The latest exercise was held as part of the regular Korea Marine Exercise Program, designed to strengthen combined readiness between the allies. (Yonhap)
