About 7,500 Troops and 420 Helicopters Deployed
U.S. Forces Korea Join Firefighting Efforts for Third Consecutive Day
The military has deployed a cumulative total of approximately 7,500 troops and 420 helicopters to wildfire sites as of the 30th.
On this day, the military announced that about 600 troops and a total of 49 military helicopters (including 4 U.S. Forces Korea helicopters and 1 medical helicopter) were deployed to Sancheong, Gyeongnam, and Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok in Gyeongbuk. The military is prepared to deploy up to an additional 5,000 personnel and 9 helicopters if necessary.
Additionally, U.S. Forces Korea helicopters have been participating in firefighting operations for the third consecutive day.
Furthermore, the military is operating 9 mobile medical teams and 14 safety patrol teams to prevent secondary damage caused by the wildfires. They are also continuously supporting supplies of over 23,000 items such as blankets and combat rations, providing military fuel support (over 730,000 liters) for helicopters of various agencies, and supporting accommodations, meals, and health checkups for helicopter pilots.
The military is supporting mop-up operations, medical assistance, safety control, and aerial water drops while prioritizing the safety of troops. Troops are performing their duties equipped with safety gear such as dust masks, windproof goggles, and safety gloves. In particular, safety evaluations before deployment, real-time safety hazard inspections, and proactive measures are being conducted on-site. Additionally, sufficient rest is being provided to ground-deployed troops, helicopter pilots, and operational personnel.
Meanwhile, the military has granted disaster leave to 149 troops whose families were affected by the wildfire and is exempting training for reservists and mobilization trainees in the wildfire-affected areas.
The military emphasized strict adherence to fire prevention measures that must be followed during live-fire training at all unit levels due to the continued dry weather, stating, "We are especially enforcing bans on firing flares and similar munitions, organizing and operating wildfire suppression teams during firing exercises, and preparing military helicopters on standby for emergency water drops."
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