CAMP HUMPHREYS, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- The Republic of South Korea is commonly referred to as the "Land of the Morning Calm." However, it was anything but calm when 33 devil dogs from Marine Aircraft Group 24 (based at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay) arrived on the Korean peninsula in support of Exercise Foal Eagle '04, beginning March 21.
As service members always do, the MAG-24 Marines set foot on the peninsula with the goal of mission accomplishment.
"One of the most difficult tasks during Exercise Foal Eagle was learning to be proficient with all data systems," said Capt. Thaddeus Berry, assistant future operations officer for MAG-24. "Their attitude out there was definitely solution orientated," he explained, saying that the Marines once again went above and beyond minimal standards.
Before departing to Korea, however, the MAG-24 Marines readied themselves for the challenges of Foal Eagle with a command post exercise. They completed several tactical exercises in December and also established a command operations center during the Hawaii Combined Arms Exercise on the "Big Island" of Hawaii.
Their training proved invaluable when MAG-24 sent aircraft to support the Korean Integrated Training Program, where U.S. Marines get the chance to work hand-in-hand with their allies in the ROK Marine Corps.
Additionally, Marines provided support to ground troops and proved capable of rapidly deploying to a distant base and quickly and efficiently setting up a command operations center.
"This exercise gave MAG-24 the chance to work with many of our adjacent units, in a manner that is difficult in Hawaii," said Berry. "We were able to see first-hand how the different units within the Marine Air Wing are capable of operating with a large number of players.
"We also got to work up close and personal with many of our counterparts face-to-face - and not as some name on an e-mail or voice on the phone," he continued. "Many intangible benefits were gained from this experience."