CAMP MUJUK, South Korea —III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines concluded the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 26.2 on 8 August.
Over the course of this exercise, U.S. and ROK forces executed a series of bilateral, tactical-level field training events, validating the forces’ ability to operate as a cohesive unit. This type of training enhances tactical interoperability and reinforces the longstanding ROK-U.S. Alliance's capacity to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
“KMEP 26.2 proved that the long-standing alliance between the U.S. and ROK Marine Corps translates directly into operational readiness,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, Commanding General of III MEF. “The practical experience our Marines gained operating alongside our South Korean allies ensures we remain a unified and capable force ready to support regional stability.”
KMEP 26.2 brought Marines from III MEF and Members of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps together to successfully execute combined multi-domain operations, improving integration and responsiveness to evolving threats. Training milestones included combined live-fire ranges, close air support coordination, and complex logistics maneuvers.
“Building on the interoperability showcased during KMEP 26.1, this second iteration further sharpened the readiness of the Combined Marine Corps and our collective ability to defend the Republic of Korea," said Maj. Gen. Valerie Jackson, Commander of Marines Forces Korea.
“The successful completion of this exercise demonstrates the mutual trust and tactical proficiency that define our alliance,” said Lt. Gen. Ju Il-seok, commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. “By overcoming these challenging, realistic scenarios, we have significantly advanced our combined combat capabilities.”
Exercises like KMEP 26.2 ensure that U.S. and ROK forces are prepared to operate together in times of crisis, maintaining the high state of readiness required to defend the Korean Peninsula and strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance.