Re: Email about Turkish Brigade

[Mike Davino <mdavino@yahoo.com>]

This is somewhat off-topic, but when I saw this
article about the ROK Marines preparing to deploy an
element to Iraq, it reminded me of another tough
outfit.  I have heard and read numerous stories about
the ROK Marines from Vietnam vets.  Did anyone work
with the ROK Marine Corps during the Korean War?  

In any event, I have no doubt that the area that these
ROK Marines will be assigned to guard, will soon
become the safest place to be in Iraq.  I have worked
with them before on exercises and they are very tough.
 

Mike Davino

Korea Times
January 6, 2004 

ROK Marines Look Forward To Iraq Dispatch

By Ryu Jin, Staff Reporter

As the nation prepares to send an extra contingent of
3,000 troops for Iraqi reconstruction projects in late
April, ROK Marine Corps is looking at the dispatch
with a degree of impatience.

Officials could hardly contain their joy at media
reports that about 100 marines will likely be included
in South Korea?s additional contingent to be deployed
in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

``This is the first deployment in about 40 years!?? an
official said requesting anonymity. ``It would be a
great opportunity for the Marine Corps to gain war
experience.??

In fact, if realized, it would be the largest overseas
marine deployment since Vietnam in 1965, when it sent
a six-year combat mission. It has also dispatched 26
marines to Afghanistan in 2002.

Other highly trained forces, like the Special Forces
Command (SFC), were often sent abroad for peacekeeping
operations in recent years. But the Marine Corps,
which never goes without the epithet ``even catching
ghosts?? for the locals, didn?t have an opportunity of
overseas missions.

When the nation officially finalized its plan to send
3,000 more soldiers to Iraq on top of the 700 medics
and engineers already there, high-ranking Corps
officials expressed strong willingness to be part of
the 1,500 combatants.

But, there seems to be some dissatisfaction as well
about the ``limited?? size of the dispatch. According
to the temporary plan, the 3,000-strong troops will
comprise 1,000 SFC personnel, 500 Special Assault
Commando soldiers, with the remaining filled with
medics and engineers. The 100 marines will guard their
fellow ground soldiers at the headquarters against
possible insurgent attacks.

Captain Oh Chol-shik, Marine Corps public
communications officer, took a cautious attitude about
the plan, but did not hesitate to express his pride in
the nation?s marines.

``Our marines are always ready to obey orders,?? he
said in a telephone interview with The Korea Times. ``
Our prepared forces would ensure a successful mission
in the low-intense hostilities.??


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