RSOI/Foal Eagle

RSOI/Foal Eagle 2002

Foal Eagle '02 marked the 41st combined arms exercise between U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces. It was conducted at a variety of locations throughout the Korean Peninsula.

The Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command (ROK/US CFC) Reception, Staging, On-ward movement and Integration exercise, referred to as RSOI 02, was held March 21-27 in Korea. Along with RSOI 02, the joint and combined field training exercise referred to as Foal Eagle was linked with RSOI this year. RSOI is a scheduled annual combined/joint command post exercise first held in 1994 and used by CFC, ROK and U.S. forces commanders to train and evaluate command capabilities to receive U.S. forces from bases outside the country. The exercise involved a number of U.S. military units assigned on the Korean peninsula as well as ROK forces and a small number of U.S. forces deploying to Korea from Japan, Guam and the United States. One benefit of linking the two exercises is the command post exercise ties directly into the field training exercise, providing more realistic training opportunities. These exercises are designed to help teach, coach and mentor younger soldiers while exercising senior leaders' decision-making capabilities.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) completed their annual training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC). US and ROK forces worked to enhance interoperability, coordinate supporting arms and become more familiar with each other's tactics, techniques and equipment. Foal Eagle is a two-part exercise which focuses on cross-training and integration. During the exercise, MEU Marines also conducted field training at several sites in the region. The first phase involved executing a combined amphibious landing exercise. Initially, liaison teams were exchanged between the MEU and the ROK Mairines' Regimental Landing Team 2 (RLT 2). This cross attachment of forces afforded both Marine units the opportunity to interact and train together on board ship. US and ROK forces worked hand-in-hand during each phase of the landing exercise to ensure units from both countries were fully integrated. The MEU and ROK RLT units formed a combined force and conducted an amphibious assault launched from U.S. and ROK Navy ships.

Standing up to its motto "Strike from the Sea," the highlight of the exercise for the MEU was its participation in the combined amphibious assault at Tok Sok Ri Beach. While 'AMTRAKs' were launched from U.S. and ROK Navy ships offshore, UH-1N 'Hueys' patrolled the skies and suppressed simulated enemy resistance with air strikes. A beach landing site was established by the combat service support element to assist the landing craft air cushion (LCAC) that came ashore. The LCAC's mission was to simulate the surface introduction of follow-on troops and equipment ashore. Explosive ordnance disposal personnel increased the realism of the scenario by detonating explosives in the surf zone, along the shoreline and in the mountains.