DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA -- The United States Army Materiel Support Command - Korea's (MSC-K) Korean Service Corps (KSC) Battalion, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, conducted its annual mobilization exercise (MOBEX) and wartime host nation support field training exercise (WHNS FTX) over a three day period at Daebong Elementary School, Daegu from Jan. 11-13.

The MOBEX and WHNS exercises are two separate exercises, but the KSC holds these exercises in preparation for the same situation: for all possible contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.

The purpose of the KSC's mobilization operation is to activate a skilled labor force in a swift manner in the event of a contingency. There are four mobilization stations across the country that will mobilize nearly 22,000 personnel if a contingency were to occur. The MOBEX was conducted to rehearse this operation procedure.

Commander Song Hwan Yun, 32nd KSC Company, KSC, said, "Although these are annual exercises and we perform them every year, the exercises this year, especially the MOBEX, were executed with a contingency or wartime situation in mind. We performed the exercise with only the KSC mobilization cadre or personnel that would take part in the real situation."

The process is quite simple but very efficient and can be completed in six stations. Mobilees are pre-registered into the system and first undergo the identification procedure and a physical exam. Then, they are issued a M50 mask (gas mask) and are trained on how to properly use it. At the third station, personal information is inputted. Then, mobilees are issued organizational clothing and individual equipment (OCIE). They then conduct army warrior training before being given a Geneva Conventions Card and 2 identification tags. The operation cell oversees the entire process and deploys the troops accordingly.

The WHNS program utilizes the resources and assistance provided by the Republic of Korea in a contingency to support the mission of the US Army and specifically Team 19 here in Area IV.

For the WHNS exercise, vehicles were brought to Daebong Elementary School by Korean companies where they were inspected by both ROK and KSC personnel before being handed over to the US Army.
These vehicles include various trucks, fuel tankers, refrigerator trucks, and ambulances. All the vehicles are vehicles that are currently being actively used in the Korean economy that would be ready to use for Team 19's purposes.

Commander Yun added, "The KSC has an old history. It was establised over 60 years ago in 1950. Since the beginning, the KSC has supported the US Army and we will continue to do so to further strengthen the ROK-US alliance and be ready to fight tonight. We aim to sustain the mentality and the KSC is also an important resource that serves as a bridge between the two nations."