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Top brass decision making tested in Korea

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2004921233755
Story by 2nd Lt. Jasmine Templeton

PYONGTAEK, Republic of Korea -- (Sept. 21, 2004) -- More than 2,000 Okinawa-based Marines, working in both Okinawa and Korea, participated in the annual combined, joint exercise Ulchi Focus Lens 2004Aug. 23-Sept. 3 to test commanders’ decision-making abilities in large operations.

Ulchi Focus Lens 2004, known as UFL ‘04, is the 30th evolution of the exercise that uses state-of-the-art wargaming computer simulations to evaluate and improve combined and joint coordination, procedures, plans and systems necessary for conducting contingency operations for Republic of Korea and U.S. forces.

"Command relationship-wise ROK forces saw us, listened to us and worked with us. (Despite communication barriers) it went much better than expected," said Col Kenneth X. Lissner, III Marine Expeditionary Force’s future operations officer.

UFL 04 involved a number of ROK forces and U.S. military units assigned to the ROK, as well as a small number of U.S. forces deploying to the Korean peninsula to include Combined Forces Command's ground, air, Navy, Marine and special operations component commands.

This combined/joint computer simulation driven exercise tests commanders' decision making in conducting large operations and involves few actual troops on the ground.

"The important thing to remember in regards to UFL, is that the simulation is designed to support the decision making at the CFC level," Lissner said. "The exercise did what it was supposed to do in order to require us to make the decisions."

Just before the exercise began, Typhoon Megi approached the peninsula, yet the Marines were able to rebuild their tents in three days to start the exercise on time.

A number of Marines in Okinawa supported the exercise by controlling scenarios electronically. Current technology allowed the Corps to test multiple scenarios initiated from Okinawa installations, decreasing the necessity of transporting tons of equipment and military personnel across the East China Sea.

"Every time we go out and operate as a MEF it continues to show me how complicated and large this organization is and how good it is to do the training," Lissner said. “It makes us more ready.”

The ROK-U.S. CFC military units conduct a variety of exercises such as UFL 04 as part of a vigorous, year-round training program.