[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] US-ROK Firepower Units Breathing Fire

The Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States (US) Army firepower units participated in a combined integrated firepower exercise. This exercise was conducted as part of the first half of this year's ROK-US joint military exercise, "Freedom Shield" (FS). The ROK forces included the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division, the US 2nd Infantry Division, and the ROK-US Combined Division.

While preparing for the exercise, the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division formed a combined arms joint task force consisting of seven units and over 300 soldiers, including subordinate tank, engineer, air defense, and armored reconnaissance battalions, the 7th Corps Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) unit, and the ROK-US Combined Division's 11th Engineer Battalion. A wide range of ROK and US military assets were deployed, including the K1A2 tank, K21 armored vehicle, K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, K242 armored vehicle, AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge), KM9 ACE (armored combat dozer), and the ROK-US Combined Division's M1150 ABV (Assault Breacher Vehicle).

The comprehensive exercise began with firepower operations against a simulated enemy position and K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft gun firing at enemy aircraft. This was followed by concentrated fire from dozens of K1A2 tanks and K21 armored vehicles. Notably, based on target information confirmed by a US unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the K242 armored vehicle devastated the enemy position, verifying the interoperability of combined forces.

Subsequently, the ROK-US engineer units, encountering an obstacle zone while maneuvering deep into enemy territory, removed complex obstacles and cleared a passage through teamwork using the K600 (obstacle-clearing tank), M9 ACE (armored combat dozer), M1150 ABV (assault breacher vehicle), and US MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge) equipment. Finally, the K1A2 tanks and K21 armored vehicles rapidly maneuvered to secure the objective, concluding the exercise.

Brent Kinney, commander of the US 11th Engineer Battalion, stated, "Training alongside the ROK forces allowed us to enhance interoperability between our two militaries," adding, "We will improve our combined operational capabilities to maintain readiness to fight anytime and anywhere."