Photo By Sgt. Drew Tech | Republic of Korea Marines interact with U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ray C. Franklin, right,...... read more read more
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POHANG, Republic of Korea — Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines familiarized themselves with crew served weapons systems June 7-8 at the 1st ROK Marine Division base in Pohang, South Korea.
The training was in preparation for Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-8, which is slated to take place June 9-21.
The ROK Marines with Military Police Company, 1st ROK Marine Division, were instructed by U.S. Marines with 3rd and 4th Law Enforcement Battalions on how to operate several crew-served weapons systems to increase safety during live-fire ranges scheduled for the exercise. Both nations’ Marines went over the steps for clearing the weapon, executing a functions check, loading and firing the weapon system, and the immediate and remedial actions to be taken if the weapon malfunctions.
The weapons reviewed were the M2 .50-caliber Browning machine gun, the M240G/B medium machine gun, the M249 squad automatic weapon and the MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
KMEP 14-8 is just one iteration in a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability.
“Training bilaterally with the ROK Marine Corps is a phenomenal opportunity for us to see their different capabilities and hopefully improve those capabilities,” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Brandon R. Houseman, a military police officer with Company A, 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. “This exercise allows us to work with the same units year after year to build joint standard operating procedures that will strengthen both of our capabilities.”
KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing strong relationship between ROK and U.S. Marines.
“The ROK Marines are great to train with,” said Houseman. “Year after year we come back and see the same faces, and that’s an everlasting relationship we are able to build. With that consistency we are able to see more progress and more enjoyment while training from each and every Marine on both sides.”
Training with the U.S. Marines is a unique opportunity for the ROK Marines, according to ROK Marine Cpl. Woo Yong Choi, a military policeman with Military Police Company, 1st ROK Marine Division.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to train with the U.S. Marines,” said Choi. “Last year I was here for the training, but I was too low of a rank to participate. This year I am able, and I hope to learn a lot and make many friends.”
The U.S. Marines are excited to get the training underway and work with the ROK Marines, according to U.S. Marine Cpl. John L. Salter, a special reaction team member with 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve.
“I can’t wait to see what these ROK Marines bring to the table,” said Salter. “I’m especially looking forward to not only train them, but also for them to train us on some things like mountain warfare.”
KMEP 14-8 is sure to be a great time and training for the Marines with both nations, according to Houseman.
“As the training kicks off, it’s always fun to see the Marines interact and share their cultures with each other,” said Houseman. “It makes the training much more enjoyable, and the Marines from both sides get a lot more out of the training when they integrate in each training evolution. Despite the small cultural differences, you get to see that Marines are Marines no matter where they are from.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2014 03:59 |
| Story ID: | 133193 |
| Location: | POHANG, 26, KR |
| Web Views: | 385 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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