Korean, U.S. Marines hold amphibious landing drills

Dozens of amphibious vehicles carrying South Korean and U.S. Marines charged ashore Monday to secure target areas as part of combined drills designed to enhance their amphibious landing capabilities.

A combined amphibious landing exercise between Korean and U.S. Marines takes place off the coast of Pohang, North Gyeongsang, on Monday, in a photo provided by the Korean Marine Corps. The drills took place as a key phase of the allies' annual Ssangyong exercise that kicked off on Aug. 26 for a 13-day run. U.S. F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired upon simulated enemy targets to secure the areas for landing during the exercise. [YONHAP]

Dozens of amphibious vehicles carrying South Korean and U.S. Marines charged ashore Monday to secure target areas as part of combined drills designed to enhance their amphibious landing capabilities.

The drills took place across two coastal areas in Pohang, 273 kilometers southeast of Seoul, as the key phase of the allies' annual Ssangyong (double dragon) exercise that kicked off last Monday for a 13-day run.

South Korean and U.S. commandos, along with the South's drones, first scouted the coastal areas before U.S. F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired upon simulated enemy targets to secure the areas for landing, the Marine Corps said.

More than 50 South Korean and U.S. amphibious vehicles then charged onto the coast, followed by paratroopers jumping from a C-130 transport plane onto the target areas.

A combined amphibious landing exercise between Korean and U.S. Marines takes place at a coastal area in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, on Monday, in a photo provided by the Korean Marine Corps. The drills took place as a key phase of the allies' annual Ssangyong exercise that kicked off on Aug. 26 for a 13-day run. U.S. F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired upon simulated enemy targets to secure the areas for landing during the exercise. [YONHAP]

This year's Ssangyong exercise featured a combined staff of South Korean and U.S. officers leading the drills for the first time. They oversaw the drills aboard the South Korean Navy's ROKS Marado amphibious assault ship.

The exercise has mobilized some 40 warships, including the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, and around 40 aircraft, including the U.S. V-22 Osprey. A company-level Marine commando unit from Britain also joined the exercise for the second consecutive year.

Yonhap