As part of the 2024 National Defence Training, the Republic of Korea and US forces conducted joint and combined “maritime mobile training” from 22-25 October.
In its media release following the exercise the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) said, “this training was conducted to strengthen the joint and combined operation capabilities to immediately respond to enemy provocations and infiltration at sea. The soldiers participating in the training recognized the severity of the current security situation and heightened their fighting spirit to immediately and strongly respond to enemy provocations.
The training involved approximately 20 ships, including the Aegis destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, the destroyers Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin and Gwanggaeto the Great, as well as other surface ships and submarines, as well as approximately ten aircraft, including the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, AW-159 and Lynx maritime operation helicopters, the Air Force F-5 fighter jets, the US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, and the US Air Force A-10 attack aircraft, as well as the Army Coast Guard, the Special Forces Unit of the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defence Command’s Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defence Command.
The participating forces conducted intensive training, including maritime counter Special Operation forces operations to destroy enemy special operations forces, and various surprise provocation situations by the enemy, including underwater, surface, and air provocations, and theatre-level anti-submarine warfare training, anti-aircraft warfare training, joint electromagnetic warfare training, and maritime interdiction training.
In particular, we strengthened our combat capabilities through realistic training, such as creating complex and simultaneous enemy threats and provocations during training, implementing response procedures, and checking the immediate, strong, and final retaliatory posture.”
Brigadier General Lee Jong-i, Commander of the 1st Maritime Combat Group, who commanded the training, said, “Through this national defence training, we were able to further enhance our operational capabilities against various enemy threats at sea,” and emphasised, “We will establish a decisive battle posture and immediately, strongly, and to the end, respond to enemy provocations and win.”
Source: ROKN
