News

KATUSA program continues to strengthen ROK-US alliance after 74 years
August 15, 2024 — August 15 is recognized as the birthday of the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldier program, or KATUSA. The program was created only weeks after the Korean War ignited, and to this day KATUSAs continue to serve side-by-side with Eighth Army Soldiers providing priceless support and friendship... MORE

Image created featuring Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army soldiers, better known as "KATUSA" who have served side-by-side with Eighth Army Soldiers for 74 years. KATUSAs are Republic of Korea Army soldiers who apply to serve in U.S. Army units while completing their South Korea mandatory military service requirement.

Navy Band South Korea Tour: Strengthening Partnerships through Music
August 4, 2024 — For the first time in its 99 years of service, the U.S. Navy Band performed in South Korea, connecting with the local community and celebrating the long-standing tradition of the wind band. The Navy Band presented five concerts throughout Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do and Seoul between July 13-20... MORE

The U.S. Navy Band performs a concert at the War Memorial of Korea, wrapping up its eight-day tour of South Korea.

U.S. Intends to Reconstitute U.S. Forces Japan as Joint Forces Headquarters
July 28, 2024 — Through a phased approach, the U.S. plans to convert U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters which will report to the commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, the secretary of defense said today following the conclusion of a two-plus-two ministerial meeting in Tokyo... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken conduct a press briefing with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko after U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting in Tokyo, Japan, July 28, 2024. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Future Army leaders visit ROK Army cadet school during CTLT
July 19, 2024 — Each summer, Eighth Army hosts scores of cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point and various ROTC programs as part of the Cadet Troop Leader Training program... MORE

A U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army cadet conduct light infantry training at the ROK Army Cadet Military School in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, July 17, 2024.

US, ROK Air Forces conduct live munitions training with B-1B, F-15Ks at Pilsung Range
June 5, 2024 — A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer joined Republic of Korea Air Force F-15Ks Slam Eagles for live munitions and close air support training at the Pilsung Range, Republic of Korea, in an event designed to enhance the interoperability, lethality, and readiness of U.S. and ROK air forces... MORE

U.S., Allied Forces Conduct Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2023
July 11, 2023 — Maritime forces from Royal Australia Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the U.S. Navy were underway in early July conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PV) 2023. ... MORE

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon flies above a formation of surface ships and submarines from the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in the Philippine Sea during Pacific Vanguard 23

7th Fleet Travels to the Republic of Korea for 7th Annual Anti-Submarine Warfare Cooperation Committee Meeting
February 3, 2023 — BUSAN, Republic of Korea - Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visited Commander, Republic of Korea Fleet (CRF) Base in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Feb. 2, to attend the 7th Anti-Submarine Warfare Cooperation Committee (ASWCC) meeting as the co-chair of the event. ... MORE

230202-N-SO091-856 BUSAN, Republic of Korea (Feb. 2, 2023) Vice Admiral Kim Jung-soo, Commander Republic of Korea Fleet leads Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, US 7th Fleet and Staff on a tour of the flight deck aboard the Republic of Korea Navy Dokdo-class Amphibious Assault Ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112) in Busan, ROK. Vice Adm. Thomas is in the Republic of Korea to attend the 7th annual Anti-submarine Warfare Cooperation Committee meeting. (Courtesy photo by Commander, ROK Fleet Public Affairs)

US, ROK Marines Practice Urban Operations During KMEP 15-2
October 8, 2015 — GUNHA-RHI, GIMPO, Republic of Korea -- Heat beats down on asphalt, unlocking dams of sweat that pour off Marines during their advance toward a small town. Under smoke concealment, they sweep through... MORE

Republic of Korea Marine Cpl. Geon Shin breaches a building alongside U.S. Marines under smoke concealment during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-12 at Gunha-Rhi, Gimpo, Republic of Korea, Sept. 17, 2015. KMEP 15-12 is a bilateral training exercise that enhances the ROK and U.S. alliance, promotes stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthens ROK and U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. Shin, from Mokpo, ROK, is a rifleman with 1st Company, 11th Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/ Released)

Closing the Gap: Soldiers Teach English in Korean Schools
October 8, 2015 — OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- The sounds of military boots can be heard walking through rows of desks in a South Korean middle school as student's hands fill the air to answer questions during their... MORE

A Soldier assigned to 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, draws pictures of food for South Korean students of Kwonsun Middle School during a class on American culture and conversational English Sept. 23, 2015. Fifteen Soldiers volunteered at the middle school as part of the U.S. Forces – Korea Good Neighbor Program.