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Old 10-31-2003, 05:23 AM
thedrifter thedrifter is offline
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Cool Marines learn the ropes with ROK Marines

Marines learn the ropes with ROK Marines
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20031029212926
Story by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson



KIMPO, Republic of Korea(October 12, 2003) -- Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment on the Unit Deployment Program, recently deployed to the Republic of Korea to participate in Korea Integrated Training Program 04-1.

During their deployment, one training opportunity the Marines participated in was a mountain warfare package at the Mountain Warfare Training Center owned by the 2nd ROK Marine Division here.

The package consisted of four training days and included two days of rope tying, obstacle courses and rappelling. The other two training days consisted of mountain patrols and offensive and defensive positions on the mountain terrain.

According to Sgt. Chris K. Anderson, rifleman for C Company, 1/3, the training gave the Marines an opportunity to participate in training they didn't usually do.

"Training in the mountainous terrain is somewhat different to what we are used to," the Chico, Calif., native said. "Even if we knew how to tie certain knots, we were able to learn the ways the ROK Marines tie knots."

Each morning began with a strenuous physical training (PT) session led by the ROK Marines. Even though Marines are known for their strength and abilities, they said it was difficult and tiring.

After PT, the Marines geared up and set out for their first day of rope training. They learned how to tie basic knots first and then moved on to the advanced. By the end of the class they were able to tie a harness they could use for many activities such as rappelling and rock climbing.

When everyone was confident enough to tie the knots, they began tackling the obstacles one-by-one. Climbing rocks, traveling across numerous rope bridges and rappelling took its toll on most of the Marines, but all were proud they finished each obstacle and learned something new.

"Most people don't know exactly which muscles they need to build," Anderson said. "Going through these obstacles was a reality check for most and let the Marines know exactly what they need to work on."

During the other two days of training, the Marines set out to use their basic infantry skills on the mountainous terrain. Although much like the jungles they were used to, they still learned a lot from the experience.

"One of the main things we learned was communication," 1st Lt. Matt R. Mueller, 2nd Platoon commander, C Company, 1/3 said. "A lot of the hand and arm signals the ROK Marines use is different than ours."

While the Marines were doing their ropes portion of the mountain package, each day ended with an intense soccer game against the ROK Marines. Each company that went out to the center had fierce competition against the ROK Marines.

"The course was both mentally and physically rewarding because it takes a lot of endurance to deal with the obstacles the ROK Marines threw at us, but each Marine had fun and learned from the experience," Anderson said.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...0?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger
__________________
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND
SSgt. Roger A.
One Proud Marine
1961-1977
68/69
Once A Marine............Always A Marine.............

http://www.geocities.com/thedrifter001/
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  #2  
Old 10-31-2003, 05:24 AM
thedrifter thedrifter is offline
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U.S., R.O.K. forces enhance logistical readiness
Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Story Identification Number: 200310291492
Story by Cpl. Danielle M. Bacon



REPUBLIC OF KOREA NAVAL BASE, Chinhae, Korea(Oct. 29, 2003) -- More than 300 Okinawa Marines and 100 California Sailors offloaded 11,000 items from maritime preposition ships here, enhancing the Corps' ability to improve rapid emergency response.

The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (forward), III Marine Expeditionary Force and 3rd Naval Beach Group, along with Republic of Korea Forces, are conducting an exercise involving equipment exchange between two maritime preposition ships - the MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips and the SS Sgt. Matej Kocak.

"This training is important. It proves that we can get another ship going on a moments notice," said Cpl. Gregory Clark, a boat field noncommissioned officer with Combat Service Support Detachment-34.

The evolution started Oct. 26, and is scheduled to be completed Nov. 10. At the conclusion of the exercise, the service members will have transferred 680 combat vehicles, tanks, amphibious assault vehicles and 260 containers with ammunition, tools and spare parts between the ships.

The rapid-response Kocak is based with Maritime Preposition Squadron-1, located in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Phillips serves the MPS-2 at Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia, prepared for deployment in the Indian Ocean.

These squadrons are two of a three-squadron team. The third, MPS-3, patrols the Pacific. While these squadrons are based in different regions, they can respond to different contingencies all around the world.

As part of the Maritime Preposition Force, each squadron can deliver equipment and supplies for an MEB of more than 17,000 Marines and Sailors, and sustain them for 30 days.

"This is one of our missions, but we don't get a chance to do it very often - only once a year. It is good to come out and test all of our theories," said 2nd Lt. Camilo Saavedra, officer in charge of motor transportation for CSSD-34. "Most of my Marines are (private first class). This gives them a first hand look at why we are here in this part of the world."

The Marine brigade can fly in from another location on short notice, offload the ships and be ready to conduct military operations in a matter of days.

"If you can (offload) quickly during training, then you can do it quickly when it counts," said Pfc. Brian Browning, a mechanic with CSSD-34.

Pre-positioning is not a new concept to the Corps -- it started in the early 1980s to improve the response time for needed equipment and supplies to theater operations.

In 1979, then President Carter's Secretary of Defense approved the creation of a Maritime Prepositioning Ship Program supporting the Marine Corps in the Department of Defense Navy Program.

The first equipment-laden ships headed to Diego Garcia. A staff maintained the ships in a high state of readiness so that they could deploy within 24 hours to possible contingency locations that include the Middle East and unite with the awaiting forces.

There are currently 16 ships, but the Military Sealift Command plans on adding more ships to each squadron.

"The MPF concept was proven during Desert Storm and revalidated in Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, Commander, Marine Forces Pacific. "The MPF demonstrates our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and compliments the realignment of other U.S. forces on the (Korean) peninsula."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...F?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger
__________________
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND
SSgt. Roger A.
One Proud Marine
1961-1977
68/69
Once A Marine............Always A Marine.............

http://www.geocities.com/thedrifter001/
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