SEOUL - Thousands of U.S. and South Korean Marines staged a major joint landing exercise Nov. 6, backed by scores of vessels and aircraft.
The drill in the southeastern port of Pohang involved 6,000 South Korean Marines and 2,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa in Japan, military officials said.
Also taking part were 27 naval ships, about 30 helicopters and 70 amphibious landing vehicles from both nations.
South Korea's navy mobilized a 14,000-ton amphibious assault ship capable of carrying a Marine landing battalion.
The landing began after a simulated attack from ships and attack helicopters. The exercise was watched by U.S. Army Gen. Walter Sharp, new commander of 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, an AFP photographer said.
North Korea has condemned the exercise as preparations for an invasion of the communist state.
South Korea has said the drill is aimed at enhancing the command capabilities of U.S.-South Korean combined forces.
The landing is part of a larger annual drill named the Hoguk Exercise, which began on October 30 and focuses on raising joint combat capabilities on land, sea and air.
The U.S. fought for the South during the 1950-53 war and has deployed troops in the country ever since.
Source > Defense News | nov 07
Copyright © - EFFEDIEFFE - all rights reserved.
Link a questo articolo : http://www.effedieffe.com/content/view/5172/152/
