Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Angelo Marquez, from Manila, Republic of the Philippines, directs the launch of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM 262) on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) are preparing for this year's amphibious landing exercise (PHIBLEX), a two-week, bilateral exercise conducted in cooperation with military personnel of the Republic of the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Greg Johnson/Released)
POHANG, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived off the coast of Pohang, Republic of Korea (ROK), for this year's Korean Interoperability Training Program (KITP) Nov. 4.
KITP is a five-day bilateral training program conducted annually between the U.S. and ROK militaries, designed to enhance joint combat readiness through intensive amphibious training.
"I'm really looking forward to another excellent opportunity for us to improve Essex's interoperability with the Republic of Korea," said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex's commanding officer. "Our ability to work effectively together is essential to our overall mission of peace and stability in the Pacific region."
Essex's Sailors, along with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), will collaborate with their ROK counterparts through multiple amphibious training scenarios, including simulated air strikes and combined beach support operations. Training will be integrated from top to bottom, with Sailors and Marines from both countries coordinating efforts in planning, organizing and executing each scenario.
In order to enhance those efforts, U.S. and ROK service members will cross-deck between Essex and the ROK's amphibious assault ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111).
According to Lt. Cmdr. Ben Sigurdson, Essex's assistant air operations officer, the experience will be invaluable for Sailors of both countries.
"It provides an opportunity for both militaries to observe operations from each other's perspective," said Sigurdson. "It should really help us more effectively combine our operations into one. The more familiar we are with each other's equipment and methods, the smoother operations will go."
Essex's air department will send Sailors from various levels of leadership to Dokdo, where they will observe flight-deck operations and air traffic control procedures. The insight gained by those Sailors can then be applied to future bilateral efforts with ROK forces.
In addition, Essex's Sailors will also support Marine aircraft from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262), 31st MEU, who will look to benefit from bilateral training in the air.
"Our role is integral to the completion of their mission," said Sigurdson, "and we need to be ready to launch and recover every aircraft needed to successfully carry out that mission."
According to Marine Maj. Brian Thompson, 31st MEU air officer and KITP planning coordinator, mission success will require a cohesive effort from everyone involved.
"Our main objective is to coordinate a bilateral, major amphibious assault, and that takes a lot of effort and cooperation from the Marines and Sailors of both countries," said Thompson.
During the simulated assault, U.S. and ROK forces will land on the beach together, employing landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) and every type of aircraft in the 31st MEU's inventory, including CH-46E Sea Knight, CH-53E Sea Stallion, AH-1Z Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters, as well as AV-8B Harrier multi-purpose attack jets.
Sigurdson noted that extensive, bilateral training such as this is always challenging, but Sailors and Marines from both countries are well prepared and should come away from the training with a better understanding of each other and how to operate more efficiently together.
"It's incredibly important to enhance our interoperability, especially with our friends and allies in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility," said
Sigurdson. "Bilateral training that allows both countries to experience the inner workings of the other is not only valuable, but essential."
The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in the Pacific Ocean at all times as part of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
Essex is the only forward-deployed U.S. amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.
