GWANGYANG, Republic of Korea -- Civil Affairs Marines participated in a community relations event in Gwangyang, Republic of Korea March 16 during exercise Freedom Banner 14.
Freedom Banner is part of an umbrella exercise, Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2014, that began March 10 and extends through Apr. 17, and promotes maritime prepositioning force ship offloading capabilities similar to what would occur during a wartime or disaster relief scenario while giving Marines an opportunity to strengthen ties between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps.
“The purpose of this is to build a familiar, positive relationship with the local community in the city and around the Gwangyang Port,” said Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence W. Watters, the civil affairs team chief, G-3, Civil Affairs Detachment, III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element.
“Today we’re conducting a community relations event at the Posco Gymnasium in Gwangyang with the Rock Climbing Sports Club,” said Watters. “It’ll be a great way to introduce the South Koreans to the Marines and have fun with them at the same time.”
The event began with the Marines and club members being split into two gender groups headed by a rock climbing trainer. Once the rock climbing instructor split the club members and Marines into groups, the event was ready to begin.
“There are five different mixed groups of Marines and Koreans and we’re all competing against each other to win points by completing the rock climbing wall,” said Cpl. Linda Kiem, civil affairs noncommissioned officer with the detachment. “The wall was easy at first but the closer you get to the top the harder it gets. It’s really a lot harder than it looked,”
As the event progressed, the Marines and club members joked and laughed while they worked together to reach the top of the wall.
“They were extremely helpful,” said Kiem. “If you were going to fall they would brace their hand against your back and help you figure out where to place your feet and hands-they really just wanted us to reach the top.”
After an hour of climbing, the winning group was determined and the members of the rock climbing club thanked the Marines for coming.
“I am really happy to meet U.S. Marines for the first time,” said Cho Han Ik, an instructor at the rock climbing club. “The U.S. Marines are very famous and this was a wonderful experience with them.”
As the Marines left the room many of them shared their final goodbyes with their newly made friends.
”This was really such a good opportunity to build new friendships and get to know the Marines and what they are here for in the city,” said Cho. “They were very good first time climbers and I hope I have an opportunity to see them again.”