Marine Corps, Navy hold large-scale amphibious landing drills on southeast coast

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are conducting a large-scale amphibious landing exercise along South Korea's southeast coast, according to a statement released on Wednesday. This joint training, which began last Thursday and is set to conclude on Saturday, involves approximately 5,700 personnel stationed in Pohang, situated around 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

The operation encompasses a variety of military assets, including the 14,000-ton Marado amphibious assault ship, Marine Corps helicopters, P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, FA-50 light attack fighters, and C-130 transport aircraft. The overarching objective of these drills is to bolster joint capabilities by integrating both manned and unmanned combat systems, a reflection of the evolving nature of modern warfare.

The climax of the exercise, known as the "Decisive Action" phase, involves the execution of coordinated assault operations by sea and air forces. This intricate process necessitates a high degree of teamwork and joint interoperability among all participating forces. The armed forces emphasized that the inclusion of unmanned systems, in line with experimental combat concepts, underscores the dynamic nature of contemporary military operations.