A ROK Marine battalion commander receives a briefing on AV-8B Harrier armament release procedures from a U.S. Marine officer aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2). Photo by PH(AN) Nicholas C. Messina, USN

Photo by LCpl. David Revere, USMC

Air Base Ground Defense Exercise

Side-by-side with the ROK Air Force (ROKAF) 16th Fighter Wing, U.S. Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 engaged in air base ground defense exercises at Yechon Air Force Base in Exercise RSOI/FOAL EAGLE. The exercises provided training in conducting effective rear security in a forward operating environment. It also revealed how the two forces would handle a combat environment working together.

“All three nights we actually had combined reaction force drills,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Sean C. Killeen. “We worked to negate predetermined terrorist scenarios with small teams interdicting [them] and our reactionary force responding to suppress the threat.”

During the night, ROK Special Forces simulating hostile forces attempted to penetrate sites throughout the base. Employing hardback humvee vehicles with mounted weapon systems, the U.S. Marine and ROKAF react teams responded to suppress the threat and establish perimeters around threatened sites.

“We carry six crew-served weapons,” said U.S. Marine GySgt. Kenneth Tensley. “We’re able to respond very quickly with a whole lot of firepower if we are called upon.” He added, “I think it’s instilled a long-term relationship. We know that we can fight side-by-side and be on the same sheet of music.”

Communication, a challenge even under normal conditions, became a critical issue in executing the base defense exercises. “One of our goals was to learn how to effectively link the 16th Fighter Wing’s ground operations center with our [U.S. Marine] base defense operations center in order to develop a common operational picture,” said Maj. Killeen. “We worked to negate a common threat by working as a team.”

In addition to the terrorist threat simulated by ROK Special Forces, dozens of U.S. Marine “aggressors” attempted to penetrate various sites throughout the base. Those caught became subjects for Marines to practice enemy prisoner of war techniques. U.S. Marine LCpl. Brian P. Stewart found himself in just such a situation. “They actually didn’t use any excessive force,” said LCpl. Stewart. “You could tell they knew what they were doing. They controlled me pretty well the whole time.”

A ROK Type 88 K1 Main Battle Tank drives off the ROK Navy amphibious ship Sungoonbang (LST 685) onto Pohang Beach for an exercise amphibious attack. Photo by SSgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF