Units participate in a brigade-level field training program at the Korea Army Combat Training Center in Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul, in this photo released by the service on March 28, 2022. (Yonhap)
South Korea and the United States are conducting joint military exercises involving a high-tech training system, a Seoul official said on Monday, amid stepped-up efforts by the allies to sharpen deterrence against North Korea’s evolving security threats.
The 11-day training began at the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC) in the city of Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul, on July 11. It included 4,300 South Korean troops from the 51st Brigade of the 12th Division and the 81st Brigade of the 28th Division, as well as 300 American troops from the 1st Armored Brigade.
It was the first time U.S. troops were assigned to two separate Southern Brigade Combat Teams fighting against each other as part of the KCTC training program, Army officials said.
Among the troops, the South Korean and US militaries mobilized about 100 pieces of combat equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Through high-intensity combat training, I felt camaraderie,” a South Korean participant was quoted as saying. “I will continue to participate in training programs to build strong combat capabilities so that I can fight and immediately win the battle against the enemy.”
The army has deployed its personnel with good English skills to ensure smooth running of the combined exercises, its officials said.
The high-tech training center utilizes a “multi-integrated laser engagement system” that allows soldiers to engage in simulated combat scenarios against enemy forces without the use of live ammunition. (Yonhap)
