TSUSHIMA STRAIT (Sept. 18, 2024) A U.S. Marine assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets security after fast-roping from a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, during a visit, board, search, and seizure mission rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024. USINDOPACOM forces perform operations in and around critical sea passages and trade thoroughfares to deter threats that create regional instability and impinge on the free flow of goods, people, and ideas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)
U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 31st MEU, and Republic of Korea Marines assigned to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, conduct a CBRN response drill as part of exercise Ssang Yong 24 at Yeongcheon-ri, South Korea, Sept. 5, 2024. Exercise SY24 strengthens the ROK-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Luis Agostini)
POHANG, South Korea – “Pil Sung!” It’s the battle cry for Republic of Korea Marines meaning “certain victory.” For 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and Sailors arriving in South Korea, Aug. 6, it was an audible introduction to the ROK forces they would train with – although maybe one not well understood at first.
The 15th MEU and ROK Marine Corps faced the obstacle of a language barrier as they trained together for more than a month near Pohang, South Korea. With a limited number of official Korean language translators available for nearly 1,500 Marines of the 15th MEU ashore, the combined force had their work cut out for them.
Thankfully, two 15th MEU Marines and a Navy chaplain from across the Marine...