Page 107 - 2018 Defense White Paper

[ Chart 3-14 ] The Air Force’s Combined Exercises and Training during the Past Two Years
Unit: Time
Domestic Overseas
Year Total
Subtotal ROK–U.S. Multilateral Subtotal ROK–U.S. Multilateral

2017 20 18 18 - 2 - 2
2018 21 18 17 1 3 - 3

The Marine Corps regularly conducts amphibious training at least twice a year to develop

capabilities to execute forcible entry operations. It maintains an utmost operation readiness
posture through a variety of training and exercises including rapid task force training, combined
Chapter 3
and joint training, and the tactical training of different echelons.

Rapid task force training is conducted as part of the large-scale amphibious operations
exercises of regiment or higher-level units on an annual basis during the Sssangyong Training or
Hoguk Training. The objective of rapid task force training is to develop capabilities to perfectly
execute forcible entry operations, northwest island defense operations, stabilization operations,

and nonmilitary operations. The training has helped the Marine Corps to cultivate combined and
joint forcible entry operational capabilities. In addition, the Marine Corps conducts northwest

island augmentation training as well as f ield training in Ulleung Island and Jeju Island.
The Marine Corps conducts and participates in a variety of combined exercises and training.
The ROK and U.S. Marine Corps conduct the Korea Marine Exercise Program (KMEP) 41) —a
combined tactical echelon-level exercise—at least 20 times a year to develop the capabilities

of each military occupation and enhance combined
operational capabilities. The ROK Marine Corps also
participates in Cobra Gold, Khaan Quest, RIMPAC,

and other overseas training. Also, through observing
overseas trainings such as one from Austrailia and
Balikatan Training in the Philippines, the Marine Corps

is working on expanding its participation in overseas
ROK–U.S. amphibious exercise
multilateral combined trainings. The combined training
(April 2017)

41) An ROK–U.S. combined training program for tactical marine units conducted in the ROK with the objective of
enhancing combined operation execution capabilities and interoperability between the two countries’ Marine
Corps through a systemic approach

Section 6 Strengthening Education and Training Focused on Combat Missions 105