Republic of Korea and U.S. Military Join Forces for Epic Exercise Ssang Yong 2024

Since 2012, the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have conducted Ssang Yong, focusing on strengthening defensive postures on the Korean Peninsula and enhancing naval and amphibious capabilities. This year’s iteration will feature division-level Marine Corps landing forces and significant naval assets including the ROK Navy’s large transport ships Dokdo (LPH-6111) and Marado (LPH-6112), and the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 5). Over 40 ships will participate, including ROK landing ships Ilchulbong, Cheonjaebong, and Cheonwangbong (LST-II), frigates, and minehunters.

This year’s Ssang Yong will also see the participation of more than 40 ROK-U.S. aircraft, featuring U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, ROK amphibious mobile helicopters (MUH-1), and Air Force C-130 transport aircraft. The exercise will incorporate over 40 Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles.

The United Kingdom Commando Force will join Ssang Yong for the second consecutive year, adding to the multinational effort.

The exercise will introduce a prototype formation of a combined ROK-U.S. Marine Corps staff group afloat. This combined staff will be aboard the ROKS Marado, focusing on command and control integration during amphibious operations.

Ssang Yong 24 will unfold in several phases: pre-departure coordination, staged loading of troops and equipment, escorted approaches to the target area, rehearsals, and decisive actions. These actions include amphibious and air assaults aimed at securing key objectives for subsequent operations.

During early September’s decisive action phase, ROK-U.S. combined and joint forces will execute large-scale sea and air maneuvers. This demonstrates the alliance’s overwhelming power and capability in conducting combined amphibious operations.

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