The Korean Marine Corps Command announced on the 28th that from the 26th of the month until March 7th, a joint reconnaissance exercise with the U.S. Marine III MEF reconnaissance unit is underway in the training areas around Paju and Dongducheon. Korean and U.S. Marine reconnaissance unit personnel are undergoing training to master close combat skills in an urban combat training area.
The exercise involves about 70 personnel from the Korean and U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance units, focusing on enhancing wartime mission capabilities by sharing operational procedures and conducting realistic mission-based training. The close combat skill proficiency training led by the Korean Marine Corps was conducted in an urban combat environment, where mixed teams from both nations tackled hallways and staircases to swiftly secure and clear rooms following tactical discussions.
The U.S. Marines led a three-day tactical training session that was carried out both day and night, during which participants learned reconnaissance and surveillance techniques, and practiced precise targeting and rapid extraction from key facilities designated in the training scenarios.
Additionally, the Marine Corps announced that it held the first basic parachuting training of the year (266th session) from the 10th in the Pohang area to cultivate realistic airborne operation capabilities. About 200 personnel from the 1st and 2nd divisions and the 6th brigade participated, undergoing physical fitness assessments, ground training, mock tower exercises, and simulator training over two weeks, culminating in actual jumps starting on the 24th.
This basic parachuting training is mandatory for Korean Marine Corps airborne and reconnaissance unit personnel and is also open to soldiers. The course, recognized for its excellence due to the use of scientific equipment, systematic training, and rigorous safety management, also sees participation from special units of the Navy and Air Force. Various jump methods, including helicopter and aircraft jumps from 1500 feet (400m) and tethered jumps from 1000 feet (300m), were employed, and students who successfully completed at least three qualifying jumps received the honor of wearing the parachutist badge.