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U.S., ROK Troops in Combined Defense Exercise

SUWON AIR BASE, Republic of Korea - Pvt. Anthony Powell, a chemical specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, is checked for chemical contamination by an Airman with the ROKAF 10th Fighter Wing during a base defense exercise here, Nov. 12. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Song Sung Geun, Civil Affairs, 6-52nd ADA)

U.S., ROK Troops in Combined Defense Exercise

SUWON AIR BASE, Republic of Korea - Spc. Bekele Cherinet, an automated logistical specialist, and Sgt. Richard Firestine, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, both with Company F, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, confront U.S. and ROKAF troops acting as enemy special forces, trying to infiltrate Company F’s position during a base defense exercise here, Nov. 12. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Song, Sung Geun, Civil Affairs, 6-52nd ADA)

U.S., ROK troops train together in combined defense exercise

Published Nov. 19, 2013
By Cpl. Park Chun-il
6-52 ADA Civil Affairs

SUWON AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Nearly 100 service members from Company F, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and the Republic of Korea's 10th Fighter Wing came together to practice base defense here, Nov. 12.

This defense exercise, the first of its kind between the Iron Horse Battalion and the 10th FW, was intended to hone the troops' skills and to help set the standard for future such events here.

The daytime portion saw both nations' warriors train on disaster control, evacuation, and decontamination procedures in response to a simulated enemy missile launch.

10th FW provided emergency response units provided decontamination and firefighting support throughout the exercise.

During the night, the focus shifted to defending Company F's location against enemy special forces infiltration. With limited visibility and such a complex task, communication was extremely important.

"This was the first time these two units worked together on this mission," said 1st Lt. Michael Clark, executive officer of Company F. "We [plan to develop] standards for future exercises."

Despite some drawbacks, the Air Defenders surely learned how to cooperate with the ROK forces in order to successfully defend the peninsula against enemy attacks.

The exercise helped clarify each unit's roles and responsibilities during a wartime mission, said Spc. Randall Moore, a chemical specialist with Company F.

It also served to strengthen to the partnership between to the two nations' militaries that are teamed up to provide security in the region.

"I was proud to contribute to peace in Korean peninsula, and the U.S. - ROK alliance," said Moore.

"The exercise served as a foundation," said Capt. Hwang Kyung Il, inspection officer with the 10th FW. "We were pleased to see the possibility for future development."