UFG Marines reset after typhoon

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Vernaza | Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, re-establish communications Aug. 8 for Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian following Typhoon Muifa. The equipment had been dismantled before the storm hit Okinawa Aug. 5.  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.18.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Tyler Vernaza 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with 7th Communication Battalion re-established communications Aug. 8 for Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian immediately after Typhoon Muifa’s passing.

UFG is an annual joint/combined command post exercise which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance.

UFG is a defense-oriented routine exercise that enhances the ability of the ROK-U.S. alliance to defend the ROK, deter against external aggression, and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula.

More than 530,000 troops from the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and seven nations from the United Nations Command are participating both in the Republic of Korea and at U.S. military headquarters in the Pacific and the U.S.

The exercise is designed to improve the alliance’s ability to defend the Republic of Korea by exercising senior leaders’ decision-making abilities and by training commanders and staffs from both nations in planning, command and control operations, intelligence, logistics and personnel procedures.

“It is challenging and realistic training focused on preparing, preventing and prevailing against the full range of current and future external threats to the Republic of Korea and the region,” said Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of Combined Forces Command.

“We are applying lessons learned out of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those garnered by the alliance’s recent experiences with North Korea provocations on the peninsula and past exercises,” Thurman said.

On Okinawa, Marines were preparing for the exercise but had to retrograde to their respective camps before Typhoon Muifa hit the island Aug. 5.

When the “all clear” was issued Aug. 6, Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, began re-establishing communications at Kin Blue, while other Marines with III MEF Headquarters Group prepared for the exercise on Camps Courtney and Schwab Aug. 7.

The Marines worked through the night to set up tents, barriers and communications equipment.

“This is 7th Communication Battalion’s biggest exercise of the year. It’s important that we set up in a timely manner to not waste time,” said Cpl. Chelsea Sanchez, satellite operator and maintainer with Communication Battalion.

“The storm caused a [temporary] delay to the communication mission in support of UFG,” said 1st Lt. Dustin Dvorak, platoon commander, with 7th Communication Battalion, “but these Marines are committed to this exercise and strengthening our relationship with our South Korean allies.”

• Date Taken: 08.18.2011
• Date Posted: 08.18.2011 03:25
• Story ID: 75528
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JP