U.S. Patriot Missile System Deploys to South Korea

16 February 2016

From U.S. Forces Korea Public Affairs

YONGSAN GARRISON, SEOUL, Republic of Korea – The United States, in close coordination with the Republic of Korea, has deployed an additional ballistic missile defense asset to South Korea. This deployment is part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise conducted in response to recent North Korean provocations. D Battery, 1-43 Air Defense Artillery from Ft. Bliss, Texas is conducting ballistic missile defense training with elements of Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Osan Air Base. "The ROK-U.S. Alliance is mission focused on the real threat from North Korea,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal, Commanding General of Eighth Army. “North Korea’s continued development of ballistic missiles against the expressed will of the international community requires the Alliance to maintain effective and ready ballistic missile defenses. Exercises like this ensure we are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea." The unit will rehearse its ability to integrate into the joint and combined ROK-U.S. ballistic missile defense architecture. The United States is committed to working with the Republic of Korea to develop the R.O.K.-U.S. Alliance’s comprehensive set of capabilities aimed at defending against, detecting, disrupting, and destroying North Korean missile threats. “Continued close cooperation on ballistic missile defense reflects the combined commitment of this Alliance to promoting peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region,” Lt. Gen. Vandal said. This mission demonstrates the strength of the Alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula.