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OKINAWA, Japan - Approximately 750 Marines from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, manned their battle stations 24 hours a day, simulating the command and control of a large-scale conflict, during Exercise Key Resolve 2011 here Feb. 28.
Key Resolve is a joint, combined command post exercise designed to ensure the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance is prepared to defend the ROK against outside aggression, while training alliance forces to respond to any potential threat that could arise on the peninsula.
“The purpose of this exercise is to provide U.S. and Republic of Korea forces the opportunity to train together on a regular basis to exercise all of our joint and combined tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Col. John Jansen, the exercise assessment officer, 1st MAW. “We do this at the political, strategic and operational levels in order to strengthen the security posture for the Republic of Korea and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula.”
During the exercise, the wing battle staff, led by Brig. Gen. William Beydler, 1st MAW commanding general, operates air power throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“1st MAW plays the primary role in standing up aviation assets for the defense of the Republic of Korea,” said Jansen. “As forward-stationed forces, augmented by rotational forces from continental U.S. Marine Aircraft Wings, 1st MAW needs to be ready to deploy and operate in a moment’s notice.”
“Our part is to support the wing enabling capability with 7th Air Force, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and the ROK’s to man the air war,” said Col. David Leppelmeier, assistant wing commander, 1st MAW. “Aviation assets are essential for the movement of troops into theater, reconnaissance and control of air space. We must be able to work with our counterparts to ensure operational readiness and interoperability.”
Prior to beginning the exercise, the Marines of Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, established a Tactical Air Control Center for the forward-deployed command and control element of 1st MAW to operate. The TACC is an expeditionary command center where air combat intelligence, systems, current operations and future operations elements coordinate air operations and advise the commander.
“The Marine TACC is integral to our ability to control aviation assets in the Marine area of operations in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force community,” said Jansen. “The expeditionary qualities of the Marine TACC and all supporting elements are so well recognized that the Marine TACC plays a central role in initial operations across a range of military operations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations.”
1st MAW is setting the example for other Marine Aircraft Wings in regularly deploying and redeploying the TACC for exercises Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Ryukyu Warrior and Key Resolve.
“1st MAW is the only wing that can set up a TACC and forward deploy it. The TACC is important to our operational readiness because the Wing Battle Staff receive critical training that can only be achieved when the TACC is employed,” said Leppelmeier.
Key Resolve 2011 will be followed by Exercise Foal Eagle, a combined, joint field exercise conducted by Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea components with the Republic of Korea focused on ground maneuver, air, naval, expeditionary and special forces. Key Resolve is the command and control portion and Foal Eagle is the field training part of the exercise.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2011 02:08 |
| Story ID: | 66450 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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