MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI -- Marines, sailors and airmen recently returned from participating in Exercise Foal Eagle in Cheongju, Korea.
The exercise showcased Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 working hand in hand with the South Korean Air Force.
“Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and MAG-12 arrived as the advance party and built tent city on a soccer field in Cheongju,” said Master Sgt. Timothy L. Benton, MAG-12 logistics chief. “Once the main body arrived, which mainly consisted of VMFA-122 personnel, the actual exercise began. Multiple sorties were flown, a Rapid Runway Repair simulation and other field exercises were accomplished with the South Koreans during the exercise.”
The unpredictable weather turned tent city into a large trench, muddy by day and icy by night. Tents were heated with potbelly heaters that would go sour, unexpectedly, setting tents on fire during the night.
“The Marines did a great job in operating and maintaining the antiquated heaters that were provided during the exercise,” said Lt. Jose Hernandez, MAG-12 safety officer.
For Exercise Foal Eagle, six F/A-18C aircraft from VMFA-122 arrived to fly sorties with the Korean Air Force.
According to Capt. Zachary Curry, VMFA-122 quality assurance officer,diligently through rain, wind, cold temperatures and the occasional snowfall, to keep the aircraft up in the air. Because of their efforts, the Crusaders flew over 100 sorties in six days to support the exercise.
During the exercise, the Marines, airmen, sailors and Korean Air Force members accomplished their objectives with the support of the USS Kitty Hawk and other Air Force squadrons based in Korea.
Together, the coalition was enhanced through the accomplishments of the exercise.
“The successful detachment to Cheongju helped to strengthen the U.S. and ROK alliance through the daily interaction and coordination between the military services,” said Curry. “Additionally, the Marines and sailors of MAG-12 exercised and improved their expeditionary skills as the aviation support element within the Marine Air Ground Task Force.”