YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea -- The 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) is participating in Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Korea, Aug. 17 - 28.

Soldiers from the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-based command are training with U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance forces during the defense-oriented exercise.

The 20th CBRNE Command is serving with Eighth Army, the U.S. Army's top operational command in South Korea, and the Fort Carson, Colorado-based 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group is training with the 2nd Infantry Division, the U.S. Army's only permanently forward deployed combat division.

One of two Korean Peninsula-wide exercises, Ulchi Freedom Guardian is being conducting to keep alliance military forces ready to maintain security on the Korean Peninsula and stability in Northeast Asia.

The exercise is named after Ulchi Mundeok, a 7th century Korean military leader who repelled an invasion by China's Sui Dynasty.

U.S. and South Korean forces are being joined by United Nations Command troops from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

American Soldiers and civilians from the 20th CBRNE Command combat CBRNE threats ranging from improvised explosive devices to Weapons of Mass Destruction.

As the U.S. Defense Department's only multifunctional formation that combats CBRNE threats, the 20th CBRNE Command trains and operates with joint, interagency and allied partners around the globe.

Brig. Gen. William E. King IV, the commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, said the deployment of 20th CBRNE Command Soldiers to Korea demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

"The 20th CBRNE Command has a long-standing relationship with our partners on the Korean Peninsula," said King, a native of Killeen, Texas, who previously served as assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3/5/7) at Eighth Army. "Because of exercises like Ulchi Freedom Guardian, our alliance and our command are strong and getting stronger."