ROK, U.S. Marines conduct artillery live-fire exercise

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anne Henry | U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John Palomino, middle, ROK Marine Lance Cpl. See Heun Woo, right, and other ROK Marines receive instruction on how to fire the K-55 self-propelled gun July 18 in Tonghyeon-ri, Republic of Korea during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 12-7. The ROK Marines fired the first 50 rounds and the U.S. Marines were allowed to fire the remaining 10 rounds. The purpose of KMEP 12-7 is to enhance the combined capabilities of both the U.S. and ROK Marine Corps. The ROK Marines are with 8th Artillery Battalion, 2nd ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Anne K. Henry)  

TONGHYEON-RI, 26, SOUTH KOREA

07.18.2012

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

TONGHYEON-RI, Republic of Korea – Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines conducted a bilateral artillery shoot July 18 in Tonghyeon-ri, Republic of Korea during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 12-7.

The ROK Marines shot 50 artillery rounds from the K-55 self-propelled gun and then allowed the U.S. Marines to fire the rest.

“It has been a good experience so far.” said Lance Cpl. John Palomino, a forward observer with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It has been great to get a better understanding of how things operate in the field and to work with the ROK Marines even with the language barrier.”

The goal of KMEP 12-7 is to enhance and improve combined capabilities of both the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces.

“I think this exercise is a great thing, the U.S. Marines and the ROK military are learning from each other during this exercise.” said Lance Cpl. See Heun Woo, a translator with 8th Artillery Battalion, 2nd ROK Marine Division. “We get an opportunity that doesn’t come around that often. We get to interact with U.S. Marines by sharing our cultures and finding a common ground.”

The training today allowed for U.S. Marines to interact with ROK Marines and to learn how another military operates. It also provided them with a cultural understanding and a good learning experience.

“Today was an excellent opportunity for the Marines,” said 1st Lt. David Lee, a fire direction controller and interpreter with 12th Marines. “The Marines get to learn the culture and receive training. It’s not every day that they would receive this opportunity.”

The exercise is scheduled to continue until August 14 and will include small arms and machine gun ranges, combined arms training and regimental command and control.

• Date Taken: 07.18.2012
• Date Posted: 07.18.2012 08:08
• Story ID: 91734
• Location: TONGHYEON-RI, 26, KR