YECHON AIR FORCE BASE, Republic of Korea -- Side-by-side with the Republic of Korea Air Force 16th Fighter Wing, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 engaged in air base ground defense (ABGD) exercises during Exercise Foal Eagle, March 23-25.
The exercises were conducted both to train Marines to provide effective rear security in a forward operating environment as well as to determine how the squadron would handle a combat environment with Korean allies.
"All three nights we actually had combined reaction force drills," said Maj. Sean C. Killeen, MWSS-171 operations officer in charge. "We worked to negate predetermined terrorist scenarios with small teams interdicting and our reactionary force responding to suppress the threat.
Essentially, we want to determine how we would deploy in a combined environment."
During the night, ROKAF special forces were inserted outside the fence and attempted to penetrate sites throughout the base. Using standard issue weapons and hardback humvees with mounted weapon systems, the squadron's react team responded to suppress the threat.
"We carry six crew-served weapons," said Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth Tensley, MWSS-171 react team commander. "We're able to respond very quickly with a whole lot of firepower if we are called upon."
The team responded jointly with the ROKAF react team to suppress attacks and establish perimeters around affected sites.
Tensley said that combining minds with the ROKAF react team created a unique opportunity.
"We've spent the last two weeks figuring out the best way we can do ABGD together," said Tensley. "I think it's instilled a long-term relationship. We know that we can fight side-by-side and be on the same sheet of music, and it's also a great asset to the United States of America."
Communication, a challenge even under normal conditions, became a critical issue in the execution of the ABGD exercises with the Koreans.
"One of our goals was to learn how to effectively link between the 16th Fighter Wing's ground operations center and our base defense operations center in order to develop a common operational picture," said Killeen. "We worked to negate a common threat by working as a team, essentially."
"There were some communication problems at first, but with practice everything was worked out," said 1st Lt. Mark R. Budzyn, Base Defense Operations Center officer in charge.
Budzyn oversaw the relay of information between operation centers regarding security instruction and enemy position.
"The practice is important because when combat comes, we'll be able to know each other's tendencies," Budzyn said. "The (Koreans) actually exceeded my expectations. They were very disciplined and quick to react."
In addition to the terrorist threat provided by ROKAF special forces, dozens of Marine aggressors attempted to penetrate various sites throughout the base. Those caught became prime opportunities for Marines to practice enemy prisoner of war techniques.
Lance Cpl. Brian P. Stewart, MWSS-171 embarkation support specialist, found himself in just such a situation after lobbing a (Meals Ready to Eat) bomb at a few perimeter guards.
"They actually didn't use any excessive force," said Stewart. "You could tell they knew what they were doing. They controlled me pretty well the whole time."
According to Stewart, the greatest highlight of the training was the opportunity to combine forces with the Koreans.
"I think that it builds a lot of trust when we train together," he said.
"The exercise was a tremendous success," said Killeen. "This is the force that we're going to go to combat with should it become necessary. The opportunity to learn how they do business and for them to learn how we do business has been invaluable."