SEOUL, September 2 — South Korea and the United States kicked off a major military exercise, known as the 2024 Double Dragon Exercise, with a focus on demonstrating立体 (three-dimensional) amphibious landing operations. The exercise, which began on August 26 and will conclude on September 7, is being held in the vicinity of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
演习背景与目的
The Double Dragon exercise is an annual joint amphibious landing drill designed to enhance the interoperability and readiness of the South Korean and U.S. navies and marine forces. This year’s iteration is particularly significant, as it marks the resumption of the exercise after a hiatus and the expansion of its scale to division-level operations. The演习 (exercise) is seen as a demonstration of the two countries’ commitment to deterring North Korean aggression and maintaining regional stability.
演习过程
On September 2, the exercise reached its climax with a decisive action segment that involved a comprehensive display of amphibious capabilities. The drill began with South Korean unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) conducting reconnaissance missions, providing valuable intelligence to the combined forces. Subsequently, special forces from South Korea and the United States infiltrated the area from both sea and air, initiating strike operations.
The U.S. Marine Corps’ fighter jets and attack helicopters, launching from American warships, paved the way for the landing operations. The combined landing forces, riding in South Korea’s KAAV (Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle) and the U.S. Marine Corps’ ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle), executed a maritime assault. Additionally, Korean and American hovercrafts transported armored units to the shore.
空中作战
Simultaneously, paratroopers from both countries descended from C-130 transport aircraft, while numerous helicopters from the South Korean Navy, Marine Corps, and Army conducted aerial assault operations. The exercise involved more than 40 ships, including South Korea’s Dokdo and Maro transport ships, and the U.S. Navy’s Boxer amphibious assault ship. Over 40 aircraft, including helicopters and transport planes, as well as more than 50 vehicles from the South Korean and U.S. Marine Corps, participated in the演习.
A notable feature of this year’s exercise was the participation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ new generation of amphibious wheeled combat vehicles and the South Korean UAVs for the first time.
历史与展望
The Double Dragon exercises were first conducted in 2012 and continued until 2018 before being suspended during the Moon Jae-in administration. Last year, the exercise resumed and was expanded to division-level operations, with the British Special Forces also joining the drills.
The resumption and expansion of the exercise reflect the growing concerns over North Korea’s increasing military provocations and the need for a robust combined defense posture. The exercise serves as a stark reminder of the commitment of South Korea and the United States to defend against any potential aggression in the region.
Conclusion
The 2024 Double Dragon Exercise is a testament to the strong military alliance between South Korea and the United States. By conducting complex amphibious landing operations, the two countries have showcased their ability to respond effectively to security challenges in the region. As tensions continue to fluctuate on the Korean Peninsula, exercises like Double Dragon play a crucial role in deterring aggression and maintaining peace and stability.
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