MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Exercise Invincible Spirit came to a close for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan units as the last two F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Pohang Air Base Republic of Korea July 29.
Exercise Invincible Spirit is a joint combined exercise in which the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Republic of Korea forces work together to demonstrate solidarity and a commitment to work together.
Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and 172, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 began putting boots on the ground July 13.
Over the next 12 days, they set up ground support, emergency systems, communications and more than 15 tents for billeting.
They also brought in more than 10 tactical vehicles and many heavy equipment vehicles.
During the course of the exercise, the concerted efforts of all the units allowed them to supply more than 2,300 Meals Ready to Eat, 154 cases of bottled water, bring in more than 1,000 personnel, pump more than 66,000 pounds of fuel, transport more than 11,000 pounds of cargo, support four AV-8B Harriers and four F/A-18 Hornets, and got more than 40 sorties off the ground.
“(The training) didn't start with flying,” said Lt. Col. Richard Petersen, commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-242.
“It started with building up this entire camp.”
“Everybody's working together. Small detachments from each of the different units, in a week and a half, built this place up to what it is now,” added Petersen.
Invincible Spirit was anything but a typical exercise.
Most exercises are planned months in advance to line up the logistics; Invincible Spirit went from boots on the ground July 13 to locked and cocked July 25.
“I think (short notice) was part of the challenge,” said Petersen. “It was a short-fuse exercise. They wanted to see how well we could come in, how well we could set up, how well we could command and control, and how many sorties we could actually fly from here.”
In addition to the time-crunch, Invincible Spirit brought AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets together in mixed divisions – two Harriers and two F/A-18 Hornets.
The combination maximizes the fighting capabilities of a division whereas traditionally a division would be comprised of four Harriers or four Hornets.
The presence of the Harriers and Hornets was unusual for Pohang Air Base, said Republic of Korea Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Beomseok Lee, air traffic controller.
Because of the noise associated with these aircraft, their presence is not always welcome in surrounding populated areas.
Invincible Spirit isn't a typical exercise.
The Korean population is understanding and supportive due to both the size and scope of the exercise, said Lee.
Lee worked more closely with Marines than many of his fellow Republic of Korea service members.
Air traffic control is one of the few occupational specialties where service members from both sides work together.
Lee said the relationship between the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps has a long history of cooperation. Over the years, the bilateral training has created a two-way flow of improved air traffic control methods and techniques.
Invincible Spirit was more than just a flight exercise for Iwakuni units. Off the coast in the Sea of Japan, approximately 20 ships and submarines were in place and the eight aircraft of Iwakuni were a fraction of the 200 involved.
More than 8,000 U.S. and ROK forces service members were involved throughout the entire exercise.