Thread by @NoonInKorea

In Okinawa, the 82nd Airborne Division trained with the 12th Marine Regiment for "fire support and joint amphibious operations": the training was done in the middle of January. SK analysts are curious whether this may have been for "Pyongyang infiltration"
marines.mil/News/News-Disp…

The 2 divisions trained for a "complex simulated environment" by setting up IT and command gear for fire support to prepare for "future joint operations." The 12th Marine Regiment is based in Okinawa while the 82nd Airborne Division is from Fort Bragg, NC okinawa.stripes.com/base-info/mari…

What makes SK analysts think this was NK-related? The 82nd Airborne could serve as part of Tier 3 manpower for large scale engagements or to support Tier 1 "off-the-grid, black elements" like the SEAL Team 6 that have been training near Osan since mid-Oct

To decapitate KJU, they'll have to be deployed along with Tier 1 DevGru/Seals and the 75th Ranger Regiment (Tier 2). Also needed will be the 12th Marine Regiment (Thunder and Steel) for providing artillery support in a complex operation. In other words, "Pyongyang infiltration."

Analysts think the joint training in mid-Jan was a warm up & real training began on Jan 19. Additional units like the 101st Airborne & marines could be involved. This is not just "in & out decapitation" but a large operation to remove nuke warheads & WMDs

Analyst also point to C-5M Galaxy transporters from the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) that arrived in mid-Dec in Yokota: could indicate the manpower needed for a large-scale operation like this. Several hundred C-17 normal transporters may not be enough

Plus amphibious assault ships USS Wasp & USS America (if still around) which could transport marine divisions for landing missions to NK. Analysts also focus on 155mm M777 Howitzers artillery pieces owned by the 12th Marine Reg that are built for towing.

These M777s fire heavy 155mm artillery shells but are built light enough to be transported via helis or towed by 2.5-ton trucks. With 40-km range, they're "portable" and can fire GPS-guided smart munition (M982 Excalibur) for close infighting situations.

The 82nd Airborne has done plenty of Operation Panther Blade training jumping out of C-17 planes in Nevada. Also more SOF deployment planned for SK. But no indication that the 75th Ranger Regiment was ever in Okinawa or training for Pyongyang infiltration.
nytimes.com/2018/01/14/us/…