RODRIGUEZ LIVE-FIRE COMPLEX, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, executed company-size attacks during a Combined-Arms Live-Fire Exercise at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, Feb. 26 to March 4, 2026. During the company-level exercise, Marines integrated organic and supporting fires, maneuver elements, and reconnaissance capabilities to conduct a coordinated assault on a designated objective.
"The training in Korea allows us to utilize different scenarios and terrain. It definitely gives us exposure to other situations we might encounter." Sgt. Contrall Silmon, Squad Leader, Bravo Company, 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment
12th LCT established its battalion under 12th Marine Littoral Regiment just one year ago on March 3, 2025. Since then, the handful of Marines assigned to the LCT has grown significantly, developing into a formation capable of successfully executing high-visibility bilateral exercises and coordinated training events throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Locked In
Photo by Cpl. Rodney Frye
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus Johnson, a machine gunner with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fires an M240B machine gun during a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, March 3, 2026. 12th LCT Marines executed a company-level CALFEX, integrating organic and supporting fires, maneuver elements, and reconnaissance capabilities to conduct a coordinated assault on a designated objective. The range strengthened the unit’s ability to synchronize fires and movement in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. Johnson is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rodney Frye)
The completion of the CALFEX marked the first executed company-level attacks for 12th LCT.
“Company attacks at this stage in our career is by itself extremely impressive,” said Capt. Dylan Kruger, Bravo Company commander. “Starting a battalion only one year ago, along with all the Marines and our attachments being able to read the same sheet of music and create a symphony out of it is impressive.”
The symphony made of machine gun fire and mortar rounds overhead gave the Marines of 12th LCT an opportunity to develop and refine their skills. Running multiple cycles of the range strengthened their ability to synchronize fires and movement in a dynamic training environment while enhancing their combat effectiveness.
"The training in Korea allows us to utilize different scenarios and terrain. It definitely gives us exposure to other situations we might encounter,” said Sgt. Contrall Silmon, a squad leader with Bravo Company. “Overall, having a broader scheme along with the vast tree line into open fields allows us to adapt and employ individual actions within the platoon.”
Mountain Views
Photo by Cpl. Rodney Frye
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Elias Vasquez, left, and Lance Cpl. Ezequiel Soto, both machine gunners with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire an M240B machine gun during a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, March 3, 2026. 12th LCT Marines executed a company-level CALFEX, integrating organic and supporting fires, maneuver elements, and reconnaissance capabilities to conduct a coordinated assault on a designated objective. The range strengthened the unit’s ability to synchronize fires and movement in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. Vasquez is a native of Texas and Soto is a native of Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rodney Frye)
From one field exercise to the next, 12th LCT continues to adapt to new situations and strengthen its warfighting prowess. With the CALFEX complete, the Marines’ focus shifts to their next mission: participating in Korean Marine Exchange Program 26.1 alongside the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
A motto that brings the team together after continuous training is “One Team, One Fight.”