MSC Participating in US-ROK Foal Eagle Exercise.

POHANG, Republic of Korea (April 10, 2017) U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army personnel offload equipment from the Military Sealift Command maritime prepositioning force ship USNS Pililaau (T-AK 304). The offload  utilized a roll-on, roll-off discharge facility anchored off the coast of Pohang during the Combined Joint Logistics Over the Shore (CJLOTS) exercise. CJLOTS is a biennial exercise conducted by military and civilian personnel from the United States and the Republic of Korea, training to deliver and redeploy military cargo as a part of exercise Foal Eagle 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Fulton/Released)

Stennis Strike Group to Participate in Foal Eagle

Airman Stephen Pate, from Georgetown, Ky., directs the landing of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Rodriguez Santiago / Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Frost, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

WATERS SURROUNDING THE KOREAN PENINSULA (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Strike Group left the Republic of Korea to participate in exercise Foal Eagle with the Republic of Korea armed forces, March 18.

 

 Foal Eagle is an annual exercise based on realistic training scenarios intended to improve U.S. and ROK forces' interoperability.

 

 The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will participate in the exercise, with the naval portion of Foal Eagle taking place in international waters around South Korea, featuring a full spectrum of maritime operations.

 

 The training incorporates scenarios such as gunnery exercises, communication drills, dynamic ship maneuvers, logistical rehearsals, salvage training and liaison officer exchanges with the ROK navy. JCSSG is slated to participate in Maritime Counter Special Operations Forces simulating joint defense operations.

 

 Sailors and locals had the opportunity to interact during JCSSG's port visit in Republic of Korea. Nearly 1,500 South Koreans toured USS John C. Stennis' (CVN 74) flight deck and hangar bay. Sailors participated in multiple community service events at schools, senior centers and a foundation for disabled children and adults; and participated in cultural tours of historical sites such as the Dragon Temple, Beomosa Temple and the Demilitarized Zone.

 

 "It was interesting to see worshippers practicing their traditions," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Ian Garconnette, from Miami, who toured the Dragon Temple. "It was a fascinating clash of ancient and modern."

 

 The strike group is comprised of John C. Stennis with Carrier Air Wing 9 and Destroyer Squadron 21 embarked, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

 

 CVW-9 consists of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112, Electronic Attack Squadron 133 and Strike Fighter Squadrons 151, 97, 41, 14.

 

 Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, JCSSG is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.

 

Helo Squadron Flies in Bilateral Exercise, Increases Interoperability

By Lt. Kim Gentner, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 Public Affairs

YEOSU, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, Detachment 1, participated in bilateral mine countermeasure training exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy in exercise Foal Eagle, March 13–20, in the area around Yeosu, Korea.

Throughout the exercise, HM-14's two MH-53E helicopters coordinated with ROK and U.S. minesweepers to clear channels through notional mine fields in the waters around Yeosu.

"The opportunity to participate in Foal Eagle has proven to be a special event we look forward to every year," said Det. 1 Officer in Charge Lt. Cmdr. Tony Monell. "We commence training for the exercise months in advance, attempting to hone the readiness of our flight crews."

During the exercise HM-14 coordinated with ROK Navy ships ONG-GIN, KANG-JIN, KO-RYUNG and USS Patriot (MCM 7) in various scenarios. The ROK Navy also provided search and rescue capability to HM-14 in the remote waters of Yeosu, often shadowing their every move.

The exercise also provided valuable data to planners in relation to bottom type, water salinity, clarity and temperature to provide battle space profile information that previously went unrecorded. This type of data project assists in shaping commander's decisions when integrating the capabilities of both countries in future engagements.

"Not only does it improve South Korean and U.S. combat readiness, it targets joint-combined interoperability to improve battle space awareness and communications between both nations," said Monell. "It's been a great experience for our detachment, and we look forward to building on an already solid foundation with the ROK."

HM-14 is currently forward deployed to Pohang, Republic of Korea, and serves under Task Force 76 led by Rear Adm. Richard Landolt and headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.

7th Fleet Flagship Arrives in Korea for Joint Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Cassatt, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The amphibious command and control flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), arrived March 5 in support of the commander of U.S. 7th Fleet and his staff, who are participating in the joint military exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2009.

A majority of embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff Sailors will spend time directly engaged in the exercise.

While in Busan, Blue Ridge Sailors will ramp up damage control, engineering, and force protection training efforts while preparing for the ship's various inspections in the coming weeks.

Sailors will also participate in community service projects in Busan at the Hee-Rak-Won Children's Welfare Foundation and Blue Bird Retirement Home to strengthen existing relationships within the South Korean community.

Sailors will also have the opportunity to go on shopping trips to Osan sponsored by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office as well as tour the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the area that separates North and South Korea.

In addition to the community service projects and MWR activities, there are several sporting events scheduled between Blue Ridge and Republic of Korea Sailors in basketball, volleyball and soccer.

Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

Nimitz Soars into Foal Eagle

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremiah Sholtis, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) leads Carrier Strike Group 11 and several Republic of Korea ships in formation while participating in Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008 (KR/FE 08). KR/FE 08 is an annual joint exercise involving forces from the United States and the Republic of Korea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joseph Pol Sebastian Gocong (Released)

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is participating in a joint training exercise designed to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S. alliance.

Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008 is also designed to enhance combat readiness of ROK and U.S. supporting forces through combined and joint training.

"Foal Eagle is a vitally important exercise that reinforces our long-standing relationship with the Koreans," said Chief Operations Specialist (SW) Ian Kelley, Tactical Flag Command Center leading chief petty officer. "It also enhances our interoperability with a key ally."

One of Foal Eagle's main purposes is to train Sailors and Marines in the event something should happen that would require the U.S. and ROK navies to work together to resolve a conflict, said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Jeremiah Lockhart, Nimitz' combat direction center leading petty officer.

"The two biggest goals are the reinforcement of the strategic relationship we have with South Korea and the enhancement of our ability to operate together as navies," said Kelley. "Ultimately, the goal is to be in perfect lock-step with each other.

"Although we do things similarly, we don't do them exactly the same," added Kelley. "When we're talking about an entirely different navy, we have to spend a lot of time planning and ensuring that each of us understands how the other is going to conduct operations and respond to threats."