U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces successfully inserted a temporary 560 meter (1,840 feet) Trident Pier into Anmyeon Beach on the west coast of the Republic of Korea June 29 as part of the Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) 2015 exercise.

This was the first successful connection of the floating pier on Korea's west coast due to the challenges of significant tidal fluctuations, or change in water levels, of up to eight vertical meters (29 feet) on the shore area.

"Today's milestone was the result of extensive planning and cooperation between a number of U.S. and ROK teams," said Rear Adm. Daniel Fillion, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and joint task force commander. "We will strengthen the alliance as we solve problems together through this exercise."

The floating pier was constructed in sections in deeper water two miles off shore with critical attention to tide schedules, wave heights and forecasted visibility. At the right moment, the lead portion of the pier was guided over shallow tidal flats into a pre-cleared channel in the beach.

Along with the temporary pier construction, a floating platform called the roll-on-roll-off discharge facility was assembled offshore and towed four miles to moor to USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008). The platform is in position to stage cargo from the Bobo for transfer to the Trident Pier by other sea craft.

Logistics Over-the-Shore (LOTS) operations are military activities that include offshore loading and unloading of ships when fixed port facilities are unavailable or denied due to enemy activities. LOTS operations are conducted over unimproved shorelines, through fixed ports not accessible to deep draft shipping, and through fixed ports that are otherwise inadequate without the use of LOTS capabilities.

"This Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore exercise conducted by the ROK and U.S. forces is significant in the sense that it was the first successfully conducted exercise in the west sea overcoming operational difficulties and limitations," said Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. Park, Ki Kyung, Flotilla 5 commander.

More than 1,700 total personnel took part in the CJLOTS 2015 exercise with approximately 900 U.S. and 800 ROK personnel participating in the event. The exercise, which took place June 29 through July 9 at the Anmyeon Beach on the west coast of the Republic of Korea, demonstrated the ROK and U.S. ability to transfer solid and liquid cargo from the sea to the shore and is designed to improve logistics interoperability, communication and cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.

For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit www.navy.mil/.