Combined Amphibious Battle Staff
Aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea, the Combined Amphibious Battle Staff included nine ROK Navy liaison officers and three ROK enlisted personnel. Commenting on the technology aboard the USS Essex, ROK Navy Cmdr. Kim Young Suk, Executive Officer of ROKS Hwachon (AOE 59) and member of the Combined Amphibious Battle Staff, said, “Working with the U.S. military allows us to work on communications and other issues with the U.S., so that we can develop a better combined tactical plan. It also shows the world that the United States and Republic of Korea are firmly allied forces.”
Commenting on the coordination and planning of the U.S. Navy, PO2 Dong Hyun Ji, a crewmember on the ROK minesweeper ROKS Young Dong (MSC 558) and a translator between the ROK and U.S. personnel for the exercise, said, “It has been impressive to watch the U.S. Navy perform an amphibious assault. We [ROK] don’t use LCACs [an air cushioned high-speed amphibious landing craft] and aircraft during our assaults, so it has been amazing to watch.”
The USS Essex Commanding Officer, Capt. Ronald Evans, echoed the sentiment regarding the necessity of cooperation between the ROK and the U.S. when he said, “It seems that in the last couple years the world has gotten smaller, as we have seen the affects from terrorism enter our own backyard. More now than ever, it is important for us to work closely with other nations to form a stabilizing force in the Pacific region and throughout the world. Through this training, we, on Essex, have done our own small part in the fight for freedom, by strengthening the existing friendships with our allies and maintaining peace in the Pacific.” |
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U.S. Air Force TSgt. John Mizelle signals to incoming aircraft with a mirror during a SERE scenario.
Photo by SSgt. Stacy Pearsall, USAF |
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ROK Air Force MSgt. Park Kyu Tae prepares dinner for SERE participants.
Photo by SSgt. Stacy Pearsall, USAF |
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