ROK and U.S. Marines
combine forces in FOAL EAGLE 2002
By GySgt. Marlon J. Martin, USMC

U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles of the 31st MEU prepare to launch from the well deck of the USS Juneau (LPD 10). Photo by PH3 James Davis, USN

On the shores of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Korean and American Marines conducted combined amphibious operations in Exercise FOAL EAGLE 2002, a counter-infiltration field training exercise that integrates U.S. forces from outside Korea into the defense of the ROK. FOAL EAGLE 2002 marked the 41st combined arms exercise between ROK and U.S. forces.

FOAL EAGLE 2002 also marked the first time this exercise has occurred with RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration), an annual combined/joint logistics command post exercise. The ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command conducted both exercises to train and evaluate the command’s capabilities to receive and deploy U. S. forces arriving from bases outside Korea.

The ROK Marine Corps exercise element was Regimental Landing Team 2 (RLT 2). U.S. Marine participants were the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and the USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The two amphibious forces conducted their annual exercise in Tok Sok Ri and other locations throughout the ROK in March 2002.

Building on a proud tradition of working together, ROK and U.S. forces sought to enhance interoperability, coordinate supporting arms, and become more familiar with each other’s tactics, techniques and equipment. "The more we interact and conduct exercises together, the more we understand each other," said Lt. Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, 31st MEU operations officer. "This is 31st MEU’s one opportunity to work together with ROK Marines," he noted.

FOAL EAGLE amphibious operations focused on cross training and integration. The first phase involved a combined amphibious landing exercise at Tok Sok Ri Beach.

Initially, the ROK and U.S. Marines exchanged liaison teams. This gave both countries’ Marines the opportunity to train together and enhance interoperability on each other’s Navy ships. "We learn from them [ROK Marines], they learn from us. We have a good rapport, and there’s camaraderie among us," observed CWO Bell, Officer in Charge of the U.S. Navy Beach Master Unit.

During the amphibious landing, ROK and U.S. Navy ships offshore launched amphibious tractors, while UH-1N Huey helicopters patrolled the skies and suppressed simulated enemy resistance with air strikes. Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) came ashore to simulate the introduction of follow-on troops and equipment onto the beach.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel increased the realism of the beach assault scenario by detonating explosives in the surf zone, along the shoreline, and in the mountains. ROK and U.S. officers and distinguished guests observed the landing from a hill. "Everything went very smooth," said Lt. Col. Francis P. Joyce, the 31st MEU executive officer. "The whole significance of this demonstration is the integration of the two fighting forces and being able to work together."

The U.S. Marines increased the value of the exercise for its personnel by combining follow-on training with the landing operation. This training challenged them in unfamiliar terrain, under time and planning constraints, and gave each country’s Marines the opportunity to refine working relationships.

FOAL EAGLE also allowed the U.S. Marines to further hone special operations skills and increase the combat readiness of the MEU/ARG team. "Normally, we go out of the MEU exercises, get on the ships and go into 10 days of blue-green [Navy-Marine] workups, move right into an Amphibious Ready Group Exercise and then go right into a Special Operations Capable exercise. So, with the MEU turning over [rotating] the entire Air Combat Element, as well as the Battalion Landing Team, I’d say we are well prepared. We’re ready for anything," Lt. Col. Joyce concluded.