RODRIGUEZ RANGE/CAMP BONIFAS, Republic of Korea -- A team of eight U.S. Marines put together a six-day training package at two urban facilities here to introduce a battalion of Republic of Korea Marines to Military Operations in Urban Terrain.
The squad of MOUT instructors from Headquarters Co., 3rd Marine Regiment, and Combat Assault Battalion joined together to teach 2nd Battalion, 7th ROK Marine Regiment, the basics of urban warfare.
The ROK Marines' first introduction to urban training took place at a MOUT training facility located at Rodriguez Range. Here, in what resembled a small abandoned town, the ROK Marines learned how to move to and from buildings, through hallways, staircases and rooms while working together as separate fire teams. They also learned techniques for peaking around corners, clearing rooms with grenades, and most importantly, how to effectively communicate to reduce the chance of fratricide.
"From the very first day of training, the ROK Marines were extremely eager to learn," said Cpl. Nathan Royster, MOUT instructor from 3rd Marine Regiment. "When the ROK Marines came out the second day, they were like a whole different unit. It was amazing how much of the training was retained."
"This is our first exposure to the MOUT environment, and learning from the U.S. Marine Corps makes the training that much more exciting for my Marines," said Capt. Hyung-Rea Kim, commander of Weapons Co., 2/7.
According to Kim, the ROK Marines don't get to practice much urban training due to limited access to their facilities.
To conclude the first three-day training evolution at "MOUT town," the U.S. Marines posed as aggressors, defending the town from ROK Marine infiltration.
The ROK Marines used their new skills to avoid booby-traps, locate optimal building entry points and flush out, or kill, any U.S. Marine combatants.
"I had a blast!" said Royster. "They must have been up late practicing because when they came through, they were operating as a cohesive unit and executing their techniques just the way we taught them. It's really rewarding to see a unit this size remember and utilize everything we have taught them without skipping a beat."
After learning how to maneuver around the obstacles of a large town, the U.S. Marines met up with the ROK Marines for a more detailed, hands-on approach to clearing a building.
This three-day training evolution called for the ROK Marines to successfully clear a building with five U.S. Marine combatants waiting inside.
"The U.S. Marines were very enthusiastic about the training, which in turn, made my Marines excited to learn from them," said 1st Lt. Hyunkyu Ahn, commander of 7th Company, 2/7. "I was very surprised at how much the enlisted Marines know.
They know more than many of my officers, especially when it comes to MOUT training. We are very grateful that the U.S. Marines took the time to teach us."