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."