US and South Korean forces showcase expeditionary bulk fuel capabilities at CJLOTS 26

U.S. and Republic of Korea forces completed a Joint Petroleum Over-the-Shore operation in Pohang on July 14, moving bulk fuel from sea to shore under austere conditions as part of Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore 26. The evolution at Dogu Beach demonstrated the alliance’s ability to sustain operations without access to fixed deep-water ports.

During the scenario, the maritime prepositioning ship USNS Lummus pumped simulated fuel offshore through the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System to a beach unloading site operated by Marines with the 3rd Marine Logistics Group. The joint force deployed and tested the system and delivered 30,000 gallons ashore in eight hours, meeting a primary training objective. Republic of Korea partners set up their system days in advance and pumped approximately 10,000 gallons.

“Logistics dictates the pace of combat,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trevor Simler, the 3rd MLG fuels officer. “Fuel is often the most difficult resource to move across a theater of operations. What we are demonstrating is how we sustain our joint and combined partners when fixed deep water ports are denied or unavailable and continue to push fuel to the maneuver units.”

The training brought together multiple commands for planning and execution. Command and headquarters support came from the U.S. Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Logistics Group and Combat Logistics Regiment 35; the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) and 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command; the U.S. Navy’s Naval Beach Group 1; and the Republic of Korea Navy’s 5th Flotilla. Hands-on execution was carried out by the Marine Corps’ 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd MLG; the Army’s 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; the Navy’s Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, Assault Craft Unit 1 and Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3; and the Republic of Korea Navy’s 55th Logistics Over-the-Shore Battalion alongside units with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Marine Logistics Group.

“My role was to plan, coordinate and supervise the Marine Corps portion of the JPOTS operation,” Warrant Officer Pablo Mendoza, an expeditionary fuels officer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd MLG, said. “The most challenging part was validating the interoperability of three different services’ fuel systems without the ability to conduct a full rehearsal. That detailed planning and shared technical understanding allowed us to maximize joint interoperability and successfully integrate all three services.”

At the beachhead, noncommissioned officers led the physical setup under shifting conditions. “The most difficult aspect of setting up the fuel system was working on the beach’s uneven and constantly shifting terrain,” said Sgt. Cameron Smith, an expeditionary fuel technician with 9th ESB. “We worked through those challenges by working as a team and adapting to the environment while maintaining safety and keeping the mission on schedule.”

Cross-service coordination also required adapting to unfamiliar equipment. “One of the most challenging parts was not being familiar with the gear and equipment used by the other services,” said Cpl. Alex McGeathy, an expeditionary fuel technician with the battalion. “We overcame it by communicating, sharing knowledge and working together to understand each other’s systems, which made the setup more efficient and strengthened our ability to operate as a joint team.”

The successful deployment validated combined tactics, techniques and procedures designed to enhance readiness, strengthen the alliance, and expand maritime sustainment capacity during logistics operations.