South Korea, US troops hold complex amphibious drills

The Marine Corps of the Republic of Korea and their American allies carried out joint amphibious landing exercises along the Sea of Japan coast near Pohang.

The drills featured ships, amphibious armoured vehicles, and aircraft, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media. 

South Korea and the US are engaged in the Ssangyong exercises, which are being conducted at the division level from August 26 to September 7. On September 2, the key phase of the exercises, known as Decisive Action, was executed. The landing involved a range of equipment, including transport planes, helicopters, fighter jets, and armoured personnel carriers.

First, the ROK Drone Operations Command obtained reconnaissance information. Then, special operations units landed at the designated location and surveyed the area. According to the exercise scenario, F-35B fighters and AH-1Z helicopters conducted a mock attack on the enemy, flying over the coastline and preparing the conditions for the landing. Subsequently, amphibious tracked vehicles, including South Korean KAAVs, disembarked on the shore, establishing a beachhead.

Simultaneously, airborne operations were practised. This involved the use of C-130 transport aircraft from which paratroopers jumped, as well as helicopters MUH-1, UH-60, and CH-47, and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors. In total, approximately 40 units of aircraft equipment, including landing ships, 40 aircraft, and around 50 armoured amphibious vehicles participated in the exercises.

"Joint landing exercises of this kind are of great importance due to their complexity. The defence of the Korean Peninsula relies on the joint efforts of the Republic of Korea and US armed forces, including these and future Ssangyong exercises," stated a US military representative.