Over 2,000 ROK and US Soldiers Participate,
More Than 150 Pieces of Equipment Deployed
The Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States (US) armies are conducting their first combined arms live-fire exercise of the year in subzero temperatures of minus 18 degrees Celsius to maintain and enhance their flawless joint operational capabilities.
The Army announced on the 10th that from the 3rd, a three-week 'ROK-US Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise (CALFEX)' is being held at Rodriguez Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. This exercise involves over 2,000 soldiers from the ROK Army Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (Tank Battalion), 2nd Rapid Response Division (Rapid Response Battalion), 15th Infantry Division (Tank Battalion), and the US 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division (Stryker Brigade Battalion), along with approximately 150 pieces of equipment including K1A2 tanks, K21 infantry fighting vehicles, and US Stryker armored vehicles.
The exercise was planned to help the Stryker Brigade soldiers, who were rotationally deployed to Korea last October, adapt to the Korean Peninsula’s winter weather and terrain, and to strengthen the joint small-unit operational capabilities between the ROK and US forces. The two sides also increased the realism of the exercise by deploying additional assets such as the US M777A2 155mm lightweight towed howitzers, US AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, and US A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft.
ROK and US soldiers formed joint small units to hone combat skills in various scenarios including close air support, artillery fire, air assault operations, day and night live-fire exercises for maneuver units, and breaching complex obstacle zones. Through active joint tactical discussions and after-action reviews, they are enhancing their joint operational capabilities and mutual understanding.
Lieutenant Lee Taegyu, platoon leader of the 2nd Rapid Response Division who participated in the exercise, said, “Moving with the US forces and breaching obstacles allowed me to feel the strength of our alliance firsthand,” adding, “Above all, I gained confidence that if the ROK and US stand together, we can definitely defeat the enemy.”
Major Lee Sanghoon, ROK operations officer of the US 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division Stryker Brigade, stated, “Joint exercises are the best way to help US Stryker Brigade soldiers adapt to winter conditions and improve their understanding of ROK Army tactics,” and added, “We will do our best to conduct various realistic training types to maximize the combat power of both ROK and US forces.”
Meanwhile, the Army plans to further expand ROK-US joint exercises by unit and type to strengthen joint operational mission capabilities and the combined defense posture.
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