TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US military personnel were spotted this week leading Taiwanese marines and Coast Guard Administration sailors on exercises. 

The CGA’s Special Task Unit is conducting boarding exercises in Kaohsiung Harbor this week, reported UDN on Wednesday. It said that both M109 assault boats and M96 fast boats were spotted in the harbor. 

US personnel, in what the news agency called “Coast Guard special forces uniforms,” were seen aboard the boats for two consecutive days, assisting in training both the CGA and Marine Corps Special Service Company. The US Coast Guard sends petty officer-level training teams to Taiwan annually to conduct training for the CGA.

A military enthusiast observed over a dozen fully armed Marine Corps special forces members equipped with night vision goggles heading out to sea aboard an M96 fast boat off the coast of Kaohsiung, reported UDN on Thursday. In a photo captured by the individual, two US military personnel in civilian clothing were seen at the boat's bow providing instruction. 

When the Marine Corps Special Service Company first received the locally developed M109 assault boat in 2021, the US Marine Corps sent personnel to Taiwan for training assistance. This joint training has continued in the years since.

In the past, Marine Corps special forces training has been conducted by the US Marine Corps Marine Raiders, according to the news agency. Each battalion of Marine Raiders is composed of four companies. 

Each company has a special operations team of over 100 marines with specialized combat capabilities. These teams excel at using assault boats and other modes of transport to perform coastal reconnaissance missions.

When asked by UDN to comment on sightings of US military advisers in Kaohsiung Harbor, the CGA said the training observed by the public was part of its special forces' routine training. It said details cannot disclosed to the public.

Institute for National Defense and Security Research Director Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲) told TVBS the number of US military advisers in Taiwan will expand from 30 to more than 200. He said this demonstrates implementation of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

Su added that more Taiwanese troops will be sent to US military bases for training.

The Naval Command Headquarters has yet to respond to a request from Taiwan News to comment on the sighting of US personnel.