The U.S. and South Korean naval and marine forces have bolstered their joint operational capabilities through aerial assault maneuvers and port damage recovery exercises as part of the world’s largest multinational maritime drill, the 2026 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
On July 9, U.S. and South Korean Marines conducted joint aerial assault training aboard the United States Ship (USS) Essex, an amphibious assault ship docked off Oahu, Hawaii.
This exercise was designed to establish a combined defense posture between U.S. and South Korean Marines and enhance interoperability between air and ground forces. Key aviation assets, including the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, were deployed for the training.
As Ospreys swiftly touched down in the target area while evading air defenses, Marines from both nations rapidly disembarked and moved to their designated operational zones. After infiltrating behind enemy lines, the combined force maneuvered cohesively under mutual covering fire, ultimately securing a simulated enemy stronghold.
Lt. Col. Hwang Jeong-min, commanding the South Korean Marines, stated that this realistic joint training with U.S. Marines has significantly enhanced the operational capabilities. This exercise will cement the elite Marine Corps’ readiness to execute any mission flawlessly, anytime, anywhere.
During RIMPAC, the Marines will conduct integrated infantry drills and urban warfare simulations on land. At sea, they’ll operate Korean Assault Amphibious Vehicles (KAAVs) in landing exercises to hone their real-world combat readiness.
Concurrently, the South Korean Navy’s 59th Mobile Construction Battalion engaged in port damage recovery and underwater obstacle clearance drills alongside the U.S. Navy’s 25th Naval Construction Battalion.
The training, running from June 23 to July 17 near Ford Island, focuses on perfecting damage assessment and rapid restoration procedures for scenarios involving compromised port facilities.
Personnel practiced on-site damage evaluation and determining optimal manpower and equipment needs for swift recovery. They performed various tasks, including demolition of damaged concrete structures, excavation and surveying, aggregate laying and compaction, formwork construction and rebar assembly, concrete pouring, and replacement of water pipes and railings.
This exercise aimed to refine port restoration capabilities and bolster critical infrastructure recovery skills essential for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. U.S. and South Korean troops also constructed a traditional Korean wooden pagoda, fostering camaraderie and enhancing teamwork.
Lt. Col. Kim Ho-kyun, commander of the 59th Mobile Construction Battalion, remarked that they’ve honed our recovery capabilities based on realistic port damage scenarios and exchanged expertise with our multinational partners. Leveraging the insights from this exercise, it’ll maintain the readiness to rapidly restore port functionality in any contingency.
From July 6 to 11, the underwater construction company of the 59th Mobile Construction Battalion is conducting submerged obstacle detection and recovery drills. Using Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) gear, divers will locate and retrieve simulated obstacles while ensuring adequate water depth, improving their ability to clear naval approach routes and refine team coordination.
From July 20 to 24, the unit will conduct deep-sea diving operations using the Surface Supplied Diving System (SSDS), operate decompression chambers, and run various emergency response drills. This training will enhance their proficiency in deep-water operations and improve their ability to manage crises such as decompression sickness and equipment malfunctions.
