South Korea and US conducted joint exercise to improve naval and amphibious capabilities

Asia-Pacific, News, US September 1, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

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The South Korean forces are conducting a joint exercise with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to improve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-South Korea Alliance’s combat readiness. The Exercise Ssang Yong 24 is being held along the east coast and around the Pohang area from August 26 to September 7.

The U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have regularly conducted the Ssang Yong Exercise since 2012, to improve naval and amphibious capabilities and enhance the Alliance’s defense posture in the Korean peninsula.

This year’s exercise involves division-level Marine Corps landing forces as well as more than 40 ships including large transport ships, landing ships, amphibious assault ships, frigates, and minehunters.

The South Korean Navy’s large transport ships Dokdo (LPH-6111) and Marado (LPH-6112), landing ships Ilchulbong, Cheonjaebong, and Cheonwangbong (LST-II), the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 5) are taking part in the drills.

In addition, more than 40 U.S. and South Korean aircraft are also taking part in this year’s Ssang Yong 24 Exercise. The aircraft from both sides participating in the exercise include U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, ROK amphibious mobile helicopters (MUH-1), Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, and over 40 Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles.

US-South Korea amphibious assault exercise Ssang Yong — ^{A Republic of Korea amphibious assault vehicle, left, provides security as a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion approaches onto Hwajin-ri beach during an amphibious assault for exercise Ssang Yong 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp)}

According to the U.S. Navy statement, “This year’s exercise will feature the prototype formation of a combined ROK-U.S. Marine Corps staff group afloat. The combined staff group will board the ROKS Marado to command amphibious operations and test the integration of command and control capabilities.”

The U.S. Navy explained that the exercise will proceed through a series of phases, which include: pre-departure coordination, loading troops and equipment according to stages of landing operations, landing forces approaching the target area under escort operations, rehearsal, and decisive action including amphibious and air assaults to secure objectives for follow-on operations.

The U.S. Navy statement highlighted, “During the decisive action phase in early September, ROK-U.S. combined and joint forces will conduct large-scale maneuvers from sea and air to showcase the overwhelming power of the alliance and its capability to carry out combined amphibious operations.”

During this year’s exercise, the United Kingdom Commando Force will also join the U.S. and South Korean forces to enhance interoperability and improve operational skills.

The U.S.-ROK exercise Ssang Yong strengthens the bilateral alliance through joint training and contributing toward South Korea’s combined defense of the Korean Peninsula as well as increasing the readiness of the U.S.-ROK alliance to protect the region from threats posed by North Korea.