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ENDEX: UFG '11 exercise finishes with success; '77 AFA Grad helps lead way

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Carolyn Glover and Lt. Col. John "JB" Bryan
  • 7th Air Force Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Thousands of augmentees and service members from across the globe will make their way back to their home stations soon, thanks to their combined hard work and participation in Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2011--those stationed here will return to day-to-day operations now that one of the largest peninsula-wide exercises finishes.

UFG, the annual computer-simulated, U.S. Combined Forces Command defense-oriented exercise involving more than 530,000 ROK, U.S., and other nations, ended Aug. 26 after 10 days of simulated conflict. Designed to improve the Alliance's ability to defend the RoK, UFG '11 exercised senior leaders' decision-making capabilities, trained commanders and staff on planning, command and control operations, intelligence, logistics and personnel procedures.

"We've wrapped up another year of successful training and planning," said Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington, Combined Air Component Commander and 7th Air Force Commander. "I am proud of the hard work and effort our servicemembers and Korean allies have put forth."

Throughout UFG, players engaged in a simulated conflict that exercised the Alliance's abilities to handle any event or action regarding current and future threats to the region. They played out a number of realistic scenarios extending beyond defeating a conventional military attack.

"This was a great opportunity to work with ROKAF and see the importance of the combined and joint operation environment," said Senior Master Sgt. Donna Davis, a UFG augmentee stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. During the exercise, Davis acted as the transportation representative at the Combined Air Logistics Center.

Just because the exercise is over, doesn't mean the planning and playing ceases until next year.

"As soon as we finish up one exercise, we begin plans for next year's," said Col. Pat Matthews, 7th Air Force Director of Programs, Plans and Analyses. Matthews and his team produce and manage all exercise simulations at the Korea Air Simulations Center, here.

These simulations are the basis for the entire exercise and allow for a tough and realistic training environment essential for preparation for any potential conflicts.

"We will take lessons learned from UFG 2011 and put them to use for UFG 2012," explained Gen. Remington. "We are always innovating and adapting, ready to get our mission done anytime, anywhere."

Lt. Gen. Lee, Yeong Man, Republic of Korea Air Force Operations Command Commander, echoed those sentiments about UFG '11's success. "The Air Component Command has shown its full effort to maintain the world's best combined forces, and also strengthen the ROK-U.S. friendship."

UFG highlights the longstanding and enduring partnership and friendship between both nations and their combined commitment to the defense of the ROK while ensuring peace and security in the region. The exercise is conducted at CFC and ROK military installations throughout Korea; and is connected by communications networks, extending to U.S. military headquarters around the world.