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Republic of Korea Marine Corps 1st Lt. Rukhan Lee, an interpreter with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, center, facilitates a conversation between U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, current operations officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, and ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jaemyoung Lee, an exercise planning officer with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, left, in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 25, 2023. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Gourgoumis is a native of Boston. - Republic of Korea Marine Corps 1st Lt. Rukhan Lee, an interpreter with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, center, facilitates a conversation between U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, current operations officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, and ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jaemyoung Lee, an exercise planning officer with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, left, in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 25, 2023. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Gourgoumis is a native of Boston.

A U.S. Marine C-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2023. 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group is conducting Combined Distribution Exercise 23 in South Korea alongside the Republic of Korea Navy, the ROK Army, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. 3rd LSB is providing fuel, water, ground and air transportation to enable the sustainment and distribution of the CDEX force. - A U.S. Marine C-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2023. 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group is conducting Combined Distribution Exercise 23 in South Korea alongside the Republic of Korea Navy, the ROK Army, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. 3rd LSB is providing fuel, water, ground and air transportation to enable the sustainment and distribution of the CDEX force.

The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dave Hermansen and Lance Cpl. Jabril Giannotti, mortarmen, and Sgt. Jack Williams, a squad leader, all assigned to Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a 81mm training mortar with the M252A2 mortar system during Ssang Yong 16 at Suseongri, South Korea, March 15, 2016. Ssang Yong familiarizes American armed forces with the Korean Peninsula and contributes to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Hermansen is a native of Westbrook, Connecticut. Giannotti is a native of Highland Park, New Jersey. Williams is a native of Pilot Point, Texas. - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dave Hermansen and Lance Cpl. Jabril Giannotti, mortarmen, and Sgt. Jack Williams, a squad leader, all assigned to Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a 81mm training mortar with the M252A2 mortar system during Ssang Yong 16 at Suseongri, South Korea, March 15, 2016. Ssang Yong familiarizes American armed forces with the Korean Peninsula and contributes to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Hermansen is a native of Westbrook, Connecticut. Giannotti is a native of Highland Park, New Jersey. Williams is a native of Pilot Point, Texas.

A Korean Assault Amphibious Vehicle comes ashore while rehearsing an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Ssang Yong on Doksukri Beach, Republic of Korea, March 11, 2016. Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the Republic of Korea, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. - A Korean Assault Amphibious Vehicle comes ashore while rehearsing an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Ssang Yong on Doksukri Beach, Republic of Korea, March 11, 2016. Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the Republic of Korea, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia.

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer transits information during photographic exercise as a part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 in the East Sea March 8, 2016. Boxer is the flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Ssang Yong 16. Ssang Yong 16 is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by forward-deployed U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen our interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations - from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations. - Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer transits information during photographic exercise as a part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 in the East Sea March 8, 2016. Boxer is the flagship of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in exercise Ssang Yong 16. Ssang Yong 16 is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by forward-deployed U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen our interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations - from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations.

PACIFIC OCEAN 160308-N-ZZ999-216 (Mar.8, 206) – Ships assigned to the Bonhomme Richard and Boxer Expeditionary Strike Groups (BHRESG/BOXESG) along with the Republic of Korea Flotilla 5 transit in a formation during a photo exercise commencing exercise Ssang Yong in the Pacific Ocean March 8, 2016. Sailors and Marines of ROK Navy, Marine Corps, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3D MEB), along with 7th ROK Marine Corps Regimental Landing Team 7 (ROKMC RLT-7), Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army forces are participating in Ssang Yong 2016, the largest combined amphibious exercise of its kind to date, designed to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations. - PACIFIC OCEAN 160308-N-ZZ999-216 (Mar.8, 206) – Ships assigned to the Bonhomme Richard and Boxer Expeditionary Strike Groups (BHRESG/BOXESG) along with the Republic of Korea Flotilla 5 transit in a formation during a photo exercise commencing exercise Ssang Yong in the Pacific Ocean March 8, 2016. Sailors and Marines of ROK Navy, Marine Corps, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3D MEB), along with 7th ROK Marine Corps Regimental Landing Team 7 (ROKMC RLT-7), Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army forces are participating in Ssang Yong 2016, the largest combined amphibious exercise of its kind to date, designed to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations.

Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, presents Lt. Gen. Sang Hoon Lee, commandant of the of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, left, with a gift Dec. 11, 2015 at III MEF Headquarters, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Lee was on Okinawa from Dec. 11 to increase awareness of senior leader collaboration and oneness as the Combined Marine Component Command. The CMCC is a focused combined force designed to protect the safety and security of the people of Korea. - Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, presents Lt. Gen. Sang Hoon Lee, commandant of the of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, left, with a gift Dec. 11, 2015 at III MEF Headquarters, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Lee was on Okinawa from Dec. 11 to increase awareness of senior leader collaboration and oneness as the Combined Marine Component Command. The CMCC is a focused combined force designed to protect the safety and security of the people of Korea.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Josh J. Neahusan, right, applies camouflage paint during a sniper training exchange exercise between Marines of the Republic of Korea and the U.S. at Baengnyeongdo, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2015. Marines from both countries exchanged weapon systems, methods of concealment, and capabilities throughout the training. The exercise was part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-13, a bilateral training exercise that enhances the ROK and U.S. alliance, promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthens ROK and U.S. military capabilities. Neahusan, from Middletown, Maryland, is a scout sniper attached to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 6th Force Recon Company, 6th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Corps Division. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Josh J. Neahusan, right, applies camouflage paint during a sniper training exchange exercise between Marines of the Republic of Korea and the U.S. at Baengnyeongdo, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2015. Marines from both countries exchanged weapon systems, methods of concealment, and capabilities throughout the training. The exercise was part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-13, a bilateral training exercise that enhances the ROK and U.S. alliance, promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthens ROK and U.S. military capabilities. Neahusan, from Middletown, Maryland, is a scout sniper attached to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 6th Force Recon Company, 6th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Corps Division.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Carlson, right, dismounts the rappel rope during a company competition for Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-12 at Yooghuk Dae, Munseu San Mountain, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2015. The U.S. and ROK Marines participated in a race of the fastest company to complete rappelling, rock climbing and rope climbing before a sprint to the finish line. KMEP 15-12 is a bilateral training exercise that enhances the ROK and U.S. alliance, promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthens ROK and U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. Carlson, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division and attached through the Unit Deployment Program to III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with 11th Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, ROK Headquarters Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Carlson, right, dismounts the rappel rope during a company competition for Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-12 at Yooghuk Dae, Munseu San Mountain, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2015. The U.S. and ROK Marines participated in a race of the fastest company to complete rappelling, rock climbing and rope climbing before a sprint to the finish line. KMEP 15-12 is a bilateral training exercise that enhances the ROK and U.S. alliance, promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthens ROK and U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. Carlson, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division and attached through the Unit Deployment Program to III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with 11th Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, ROK Headquarters Marine Corps.

The ramp on the Landing Craft Utility 2000 is lowered and unloading of vehicles begins at Anmyeon Beach, Republic of Korea. CJLOTS 2015 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and ROK service members to accomplish vital logistical measures in a strategic area while strengthening communication and cooperation in the U.S. - ROK Alliance. - The ramp on the Landing Craft Utility 2000 is lowered and unloading of vehicles begins at Anmyeon Beach, Republic of Korea. CJLOTS 2015 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and ROK service members to accomplish vital logistical measures in a strategic area while strengthening communication and cooperation in the U.S. - ROK Alliance.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bruce Beard escorts a high profile target to a detainee retention center during the culminating event of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-11 in Pohang, Republic of Korea, May 16, 2015. KMEP 15-11 is focused on exchanging law enforcement techniques, tactics and procedures while enhancing relations across the Korean Peninsula. Beard is a military policeman with Alpha Company, 3rd Law Enforcement, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bruce Beard escorts a high profile target to a detainee retention center during the culminating event of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-11 in Pohang, Republic of Korea, May 16, 2015. KMEP 15-11 is focused on exchanging law enforcement techniques, tactics and procedures while enhancing relations across the Korean Peninsula. Beard is a military policeman with Alpha Company, 3rd Law Enforcement, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Donald L. Harmon, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, takes a picture of evidence at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea March 19. Scene preservation was one of the response scenarios during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear joint training exercise with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 CBRN and 51st Civil Engineer Squadron CBRN. The week-long bilateral training event enabled Marines and airmen to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures. Harmon is a CBRN Defense Specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. ( - U.S. Marine Cpl. Donald L. Harmon, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, takes a picture of evidence at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea March 19. Scene preservation was one of the response scenarios during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear joint training exercise with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 CBRN and 51st Civil Engineer Squadron CBRN. The week-long bilateral training event enabled Marines and airmen to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures. Harmon is a CBRN Defense Specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (