US military observes Marine firing drills on west coast islands

US military observes Marine firing drills on west coast islands. May. 04, 2011 06:41. ysh1005@donga.com.

South Korean marines staged live-fire artillery drills on two frontline islands off the west coast Tuesday, with U.S. military officials observing them.

According to the Marine Corps, the drills lasted for two hours from 1:30 p.m. on Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong islands and involved self-propelled guns, 81-millimeter mortars and Vulcan guns. They were the second round of live-fire exercises held by the Marines this year.

A Marines official said the drills are a part of a regular exercise aimed at establishing a solid defensive posture on the five islands close to North Korea. A group of U.S. Marines and other military personnel observed the drills to further develop and mature the interoperability of tactical and operational systems between the allies, he said.

The observers included U.S. Marines officers stationed in Japan and liaison officers of the U.N. Military Armistice Committee from Australia, Canada, Denmark and New Zealand.

This was the first time for senior U.S. Marines officers to observe a firing exercise by South Korean Marines.

The U.S. Forces Korea said the American observers comprised experts in intelligence, artillery and exercise planning. The U.N. Command liaison officers confirmed that the drills were conducted in compliance with the 1953 armistice and internationally recognized standards.

Walter Sharp, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, said in a news release, ”There will be more combined training in the future, at a time of our choosing, as we increase our alliance capabilities on the northwest islands."