CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan -- CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan – For many years there has been a strong relationship between the Republic of Korea and the United States. Spanning from the amphibious assault during the Battle of Inchon to the current biannual Ssang Yong exercises, the Marines of both countries have formed a strong bond.
Since the Vietnam War, the ROK Marine Corps has grown and continued to be an effective partner to the U.S. Marine Corps, learning from each other to effectively do different jobs and organize different military units.
The ROK Marine Logistics Group has worked closely with 3rd Marine Logistics Group since the beginning of 3rd MLG in 1958. Combined exercises like Freedom Banner and Ssang Yong have highlighted this relationship in the past and strengthened the bond between the two units.
On Oct. 31, 2018, Col. Eun Su Ohk, the ROK MLG commanding officer, Lt. Col. Jae Hyun An, the ROK MLG Maintenance Battalion Commander, Maj. Hyung Kyu Kim, the head of the ROK MLG supply branch, and Maj. Dae Duck Park, a ROK MLG Amphibious Support Battalion officer, visited 3rd MLG in Okinawa, Japan.
“The purpose of my visit here is to evaluate the support capabilities of 3rd MLG and to get pointers for us,” Ohk said.
During this visit they traveled to many different bases to view the logistical support capabilities and equipment that 3rd MLG has to offer, as well as viewing the organizational structure of the different units throughout 3rd MLG.
Among the units they visited were 9th Engineer Support Battalion, where they discussed expanding training between the explosive ordnance disposal teams to cross train both units with larger unexploded ordnance, Combat Logistics Regiments 35 and 37, where they spoke about the different capabilities in each unit and who they directly support, and Combat Logistics Regiment 3, where they viewed many different air delivery systems.
Also as part of the visit, Ohk and Brig. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow, 3rd MLG commanding general, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, a document explaining the training to take place in the next year and reinforcing how they will work together in the future.
“The beauty of the MOU is highlighting those opportunities where we can train and work together,” said Reventlow.
The trip ended on Nov. 3 with the ROK MLG leadership joining the 3rd MLG officers and senior enlisted in celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps’ 243rd birthday at the Marine Corps Ball..
Ohk and Reventlow both expressed that they hope the relationship will continue grow and produce good training and camaraderie between the commands.