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US-ROK 1 Team, 1 Fight for RSOI/FE 06

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060407-07
Release Date: 4/7/2006 11:03:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Katharine Cerezo, Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Reception, Staging, Onward-Movement and Integration (RSOI) and Foal Eagle (FE) 2006 took place March 25-31 in the Republic of Korea (ROK), giving ships and units of the Forward-Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) a strong opportunity to interact face-to-face with their Korean counterparts.

The culminating amphibious landing, which was an execution of multiple surface and air movements, was the end result of complex planning and months of preparation.

From the initial planning conference in Seoul in June 2005 to the completion of the exercise, participants from both nations felt the integrated training to be immensely rewarding, both personally and professionally.

“When I first came on board Essex and saw the medical operating rooms, one of the American medical officers said that if there was a casualty, that person would receive treatment regardless of whether he was Korean or American," said ROK Navy Medical Officer Lt. j.g. Jin-Hyuk Jeon through a translator. “That really made me realize that we are one team. There was no distinction between ‘us’ and ‘them’.”

ROK Navy and Marine Corps were fully assimilated into every aspect of planning and exercises, and quickly adapted to shipboard routine. ROK leaders repeatedly used the word “harmony” to describe the relationships they observed between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and as the exercise progressed, between the U.S. and ROK forces.

ROK Marine Corps 1st Lt. Mi Young Park, a supply officer, surprised the Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 staff and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commanders by preparing a special lunch consisting of Korean dishes kimchi and be bim bob.

“Today’s beach assault was the largest combined landing on the west coast since Inchon,” said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Baker, Amphibious Squadron 11 Foal Eagle action officer. “It was an outstanding opportunity to work hand-in-hand with an impressive naval force.”

The Forward-Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan