U.S. Marines ‘storm ashore’ in Korean beach landing

U.S. Marines and Navy personnel conducted a large-scale amphibious landing in Pohang, South Korea, offloading tactical vehicles and equipment from USNS Dahl as part of Exercise Freedom Banner 25, according to a press release from Marine Corps Blount Island Command.

The exercise, which took place on February 28, highlighted the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deploy forces and sustain operations through maritime prepositioning force operations, which rely on forward-deployed, pre-loaded ships to ensure combat readiness.

The offload operation was a joint effort involving sailors from U.S. Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 13, who manoeuvred equipment from the USNS Dahl onto an Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) causeway ferry—a modular system designed to transport cargo from ship to shore even in the absence of port infrastructure. Supporting these operations were Beachmaster Unit 1 and Naval Beach Group 1, who assisted in moving vehicles onto the shoreline.

Freedom Banner 25 is a key component of the larger Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 25.1, aimed at refining logistical processes and enhancing U.S.-Republic of Korea interoperability. The exercise underscores the role of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Jacksonville, Florida, which serves as the central hub for the Marine Corps’ global prepositioning network.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jesse Johnson, operations director for Blount Island Command, pushed the significance of these operations:

“We are the linchpin in the Corps’ ability to project power globally,” Johnson said, explaining that his team ensures that Marines’ equipment and supplies are strategically positioned and ready whenever needed.