주한미군연습Valiant Blitz 이시우2003/01/17 216

Valiant Blitz

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Various exercises are conducted to maintain the readiness of components and units of the Combined Forces Command defending the Republic of Korea. Valiant Blitz conducts amphibious operations training.

Alamo (LSD-33) headed to Korea to participate in the bilateral exercise Operation “Valiant Blitz 85-1″ in cooperation with elements of the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps.

From 8-13 June 1983, USS ELLIOT (DD-967) participated in exercise VALIANT BLITZ conducted off the coast of Okinawa. Like BALIKATAN/TANGENT FLASH, it was a amphibious exercise. ELLIOT provided naval gunfire support for the marine landing forces and screening actions against hostile forces opposing the transport ships.

Air Wing ELEVEN made the final cruise aboard USS ENTERPRISE from September 1989 to March 1990. Highlights of the world cruise included exercises: PACEX, ANNUALEX 89 and VALIANT BLITZ 90 which heralded the largest assemblage of U.S. Naval Air and Sea Power since World War II. Coordinated operations involving triple carrier battle group (USS ENTERPRISE, USS CARL VINSON, and USS CONSTELLATION) and dual battle force (USS ENTERPRISE, USS CARL VINSON, USS NEW JERSEY and USS MISSOURI) units on conjunction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Air Force, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps provided highly successful joint training.

June 1990 found VMA-231 deployed to WESTPAC as a squadron for the first time since World War II. Training continued in Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan, as well as the Philippine Islands and Korea. Exercises included multiple air defense exercises with the Japanese Air Defense Force; VALIANT BLITZ 90, conducted in Eastern Korea during November 1990; and BEACHCREST 90, conducted in Okinawa in December.

During November 1993 – January 1994 Marine Corps units deployed to Operation Valiant Blitz, Pohang, South Korea.

Exercise VALIANT BLITZ 97 concluded after two days of bilateral-carrier air operations in the Philippine Sea in September 1997. The participation of aircraft carriers USS Independence(CV 62) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) provided an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate power projection in a unique environment. During a contingency in the Asia-Pacific region, multiple aircraft carriers would be critical to a successful resolution of the crisis. VALIANT BLITZ allowed the two carriers to operate and train together as they would in a real-world scenario. Conducting exercises like VALIANT BLITZ can be difficult due to the deployment schedules and operational commitments of carriers around the world. Training between two carriers is extremely valuable because it allows them to work together as a team. VALIANT BLITZ taught crews how to coordinate strike plans more effectively if the need for force arises. The exercise concluded with both carriers and their airwings working together to break the simulated opposition of several Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft while making an air-to-surface strike approximately 200 miles from Kadena, Okinawa. With the conclusion of VALIANT BLITZ, Nimitz continued its ‘around-the-world’ cruise and Independence continued standard flight operations in the western Pacific. Independence’s airwing returned to NAF Atsugi Sept. 27 and the ship returned to her home port of Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 29.