ROK Marines join US-Indonesia military exercise for 1st time

Republic of Korea Marines take part in the Super Garuda Shield exercise conducted in Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Marine Corps

The Marine Corps took part in a major military exercise jointly led by the United States and Indonesia, in what marked the South Korean Marines' first participation in the multinational drills, the armed service said Monday.

Some 20 Marines took part in the Super Garuda Shield exercise conducted from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5 in Indonesia's Jawa Barat area, south of Jakarta, according to the Marine Corps.

The Marines, comprising special reconnaissance and infantry troops, took part in an array of training aimed at sharpening their skills for urban and jungle warfare as well as amphibious landing, according to the Marine Corps.

The Super Garuda Shield exercise was launched in 2007 to enhance operational capabilities in jungle warfare between the U.S. and Indonesia, and has since evolved into a large-scale multinational exercise.

More than 6,000 personnel from 13 countries, including Australia, Japan and Germany, took part in this year's exercise.