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OKINAWA, Japan—U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (2/23), forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, joined their active-duty counterparts and Republic of Korea Marine Corps forces for the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 25.2.
After months of pre-deployment training and refinement at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 2/23 demonstrated their abilities in the field. Despite the accelerated timetables for their deployment, 2/23 showcased the vital role the Marine Corps Reserve plays in forward operations, combined readiness and being a fluid force.
This preparation laid the foundation for their smooth transition and integration into joint operations alongside active-duty U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps units. Once in theater, the Marines of 2/23 worked with ROK Marines in multiple training environments and tactical exercises designed to enhance interoperability and warfighting capabilities between nations.
“The Marines will be conducting training in multiple environments to sharpen their skills,” said Capt. Michael Volk, a combat engineer officer with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment. “They will be conducting supported attacks in military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT), wooded environments and mountainous regions, showing their flexibility.”
For many Marines, the MOUT portion of KMEP 25.2 was the most beneficial and demanding training evolutions. Urbanized terrain presents unique challenges—tight alleyways, multistory buildings, limited fields of fire and the constant threat of ambush. Fighting in such a compressed battlespace, Marines had to make rapid decisions while maintaining strict accountability of their teams.
The training emphasized speed, communication and precision. ROK Marines and U.S. Marines worked in combined teams and rehearsed stacks, breaching techniques and coordinated room-clearing procedures under simulated combat conditions. Leaders at the squad and team levels were pushed to issue clear guidance quickly, while simultaneously adapting to the unpredictable variables that arise in close-quarters combat.
“The need for quick, squad-level decisions was especially highlighted in the chaos of MOUT environments where fireteams learned to quickly and safely clear rooms and buildings while having to account for both the position of enemy and friendly forces,” said 1st Sgt. Aaron Denning, a company first sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment.
The training also allowed Marines to share their doctrinal approach with ROK Marines. By exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures for urban warfare, both forces gained valuable insight into how their counterparts maneuver through confined and complex terrain. ROK Marines were introduced to the Marine Corps’ philosophy of mission command—empowering junior leaders to act decisively with limited oversight—a concept that proved especially effective during dynamic MOUT scenarios.
Throughout KMEP 25.2, 2/23’s participation showed their potential at enhancing the combined defense across the Korean Peninsula, and the effectiveness of the Total Force concept, reaffirming the strategic value of Reserve forces in maintaining a forward presence in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2025 03:44 |
| Story ID: | 550158 |
| Location: | JP |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 2/23 MARINES PARTICIPATE IN KMEP 25.2, by LCpl Van Hoang, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
