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CTF 76 Completes Exercise Key Resolve

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080310-10
Release Date: 3/10/2008 12:29:00 PM

By Lt. Denver Applehans, Commander Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, commander of Task Force (CTF) 76, and her staff wrapped-up their portion of the United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) bilateral exercise Key Resolve on board USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) March 6.

Pottenger and staff, including members of Navy Reserve Detachment 218, embarked Blue Ridge March 1 along with ROK counterpart Rear Adm. Lee Ki-Sik and his staff. Together they participated in the command post exercise along with Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, commander U.S. 7th Fleet and key members of other 7th Fleet components.

Working through a computer based scenario, U.S. and ROK commanders and staffs exercised leading a joint/combined force through the steps required for the defense of the ROK.

"CTF 76 forces conducting Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises simultaneously enhanced our ability to work together and coordinate with the ROK Navy in preparing for the combined defense of the Republic of Korea," said Pottenger.

Exercise Key Resolve and it's field training counterpart Foal Eagle is a joint/combined exercise that focuses on the strategic, operational, and tactical aspects of general military operations in the Korean theater of operations and is designed to provide training for U.S. and ROK forces in the various aspects of reception, staging, onward movement and integration in support of the defense of the ROK against external aggression.

Exercise Key Resolve was previously named Exercise Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration but was renamed to reflect the transition to a Republic of Korea-led exercise program, which should be complete by 2012.

Several units from CTF 76 participated in Foal Eagle as well. USS Patriot (MCM 7) exercised minesweeping operations with a Korean counterpart, ROKS Wonsan (MLS 560).

Beach Master Unit 1 and Mobile Construction Battalion Unit 5 worked with ROK sailors throughout Foal Eagle on various tasks including fluid logistics operations, rapid runway repair and other combat construction tasks.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Detachment 51 and Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Unit HM 14 Detachment 1 also worked to enable better tactical interoperability with ROK forces for the defense of the Republic of Korea.

Task Force 76 is the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. CTF 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.