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Soldiers Celebrate Ulchi Freedom Guardian Culmination with Republic of Korea Airmen

25 September 2015

From 1st Lt. William Park

SUWON AIR BASE, South Korea -- More than 600 Soldiers and family members of 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, along with 125 Republic of Korea service members and distinguished guests celebrated the culmination of the annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian exercise with a victory party in Suwon, September 18.

UFG is a routine, defense-oriented exercise developed around realistic scenarios designed to defend the ROK, protect the region, and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula.

To celebrate the end of UFG, Soldiers of 6-52 ADA and airmen of Republic of Korea Air Force 10th Fighter Wing started their day with a 4-mile run. This is the first time the host unit of Suwon Air Base, 10th Fighter Wing, has participated in a U.S. Army run.

"It was nice to see our counterparts in Suwon join in our battalion run," said Capt. Fazari Mutalib, an operations officer. "I look forward to running with them again; it was fun and helps us build a stronger relationship."

After the run, Soldiers and ROKAF airmen from ROKA 510th Air Defense Artillery, ROKA 51st Infantry Division, and ROKA Special Warfighting Training Group competed in basketball, table tennis, pool, video games, and tug-of-war. Beside the athletic events, family-oriented events like pugil stick fights, paint ball and a bounce house were held as well. A live local band also played music while the attendees enjoyed the event.

"It was fantastic to see so many organizations like Morale Welfare and Recreation, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, USO, and our Family Readiness Groups, come and support this special day," said Sgt. 1st Class Darin Cox, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator/maintainer assigned to 6-52 ADA.

"It was very cool to see the ROK Soldiers and airmen take part in the events as well," he said. "I just wish we had won more of the games!"
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