Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2011 begins Published Aug. 15, 2011 YONGSAN GARRISON, Seoul, Republic of Korea -- The Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian begins today and runs through Aug. 26. More than 530,000 troops from the Republic of Korea, United States and seven United Nations Command sending state nations are taking part both on the peninsula and at U.S. military headquarters in the Pacific and the United States. The annual computer-assisted simulation command post exercise is, like all CFC exercises, routine and defense-oriented. It is designed to improve the alliance's ability to defend the Republic of Korea by exercising senior leaders' decision-making capabilities and by training commanders and staffs from both nations in planning, command and control operations, intelligence, logistics, and personnel procedures. "It is challenging and realistic training focused on preparing, preventing and prevailing against the full range of current and future external threats to the Republic of Korea and the region," said Gen. James D. Thurman, Combined Forces Command commander. "We are applying lessons learned out of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those garnered by the Alliance's recent experiences with North Korean provocations on the peninsula and past exercises." All of Combined Forces Command's major units are taking part, and U.S. forces are being augmented by about 3,000 military personnel from the United States and other bases around the Pacific region. Originally called Ulchi Focus Lens, the exercise is one of two annual Combined Forces Command peninsula-wide exercises. "Ulchi Freedom Guardian is a defensive exercise designed to enhance the interoperability of the Republic of Korea and U.S. military forces and integration of UNC sending state forces, while enhancing the combat readiness of the Alliance," said Thurman. The exercise is named after Ulchi Mundeok, an early Korean military leader who repelled an invasion by China's Sui Dynasty in the 7th century. United Nations Command has informed the Korean People's Army through their Panmunjom Mission of the exercise dates and the non-provocative nature of this training. For additional USFK information visit http://www.usfk.mil or http://www.goodneighbor.or.kr.