YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea (May 26, 2015) -- As it has for the past 65 years, the Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. remains committed to preserving peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. The structure and functionality of the Alliance has continually evolved to meet the mutual security interests of both nations, while maintaining a critical deterrent to the threat posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY THROUGH COMBINED DIVISION
Eighth Army, a disciplined and lethal partner in the Alliance since the beginning of the Korean War, continues to serve at the tip of the spear for many of the changes. In fact, Eighth Army is currently undergoing the most sweeping transformation in its history to better meet the needs of the increasingly complex operational environment the region presents.
One such initiative, the formation of the first ever U.S.-ROK Combined Division, will enhance the overall readiness and interoperability between U.S. and South Korean forces. The 2nd Infantry Division serves as the core of the Combined Division that was activated in June 2015, with South Korean and U.S. Army officers functioning as an integrated Division Headquarters.
The concept for the Combined Division is an evolutionary step in the Alliance with the ability to create an enhanced level of synergy at the tactical level through combined planning, training and execution of operations.
As the division continues to integrate into a lethal fighting unit, Eighth Army and the ROK-U.S. Alliance now possess another enhanced capability to deter future North Korean provocations, and if necessary, fight and win should deterrence fail.
UNIQUE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT
South Korea is the only place in the world where leaders and Soldiers can conduct full-spectrum joint and multilateral training in a permanently integrated combined training environment to prepare for an enemy that poses both a conventional and unconventional threat.
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have focused mainly on counterinsurgency operations, leaving many Army leaders and Soldiers with experience in unconventional military tactics, such as counterterrorism and urban warfare, but with little experience or institutional knowledge to conduct conventional warfare operations.
The training conducted in Eighth Army prepares Soldiers to deter and defend both conventional and unconventional military forces, which will benefit the Army greatly in the future if the U.S. finds itself in a conflict with a near peer military power.
READINESS THROUGH ROTATIONS
To better prepare forces for conventional military operations, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno introduced the Regionally Aligned Forces initiative, to rotate forces into various strategic locations to operationalize the Army's "strategic land power" concept and fulfill the Army's vision of becoming "globally responsive and regionally engaged".
Eighth Army was among the first units to benefit from the initiative by receiving a rotational deployed Attack Reconnaissance Squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. in October 2013 and has continued to benefit from additional routine rotational deployments as part of U.S. rebalancing efforts within the Asia-Pacific Region.
The Army's decision to rotate units to South Korea represents their commitment to provide culturally attuned, scalable, mission-prepared capabilities to the region's constantly changing strategic environment. The rotational deployments also expose different Army units to the Korean theater of operations, while providing the ROK-U.S. Alliance with an enhanced ability to conduct bilateral military exercises.
The first brigade-sized unit to deploy in support of Eighth Army arrived in June 2015 when the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division replaced the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. (formerly the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team)
ADDITIONAL CAPABILITIES AND MODERNIZING THE FORCE
Due to the close proximity of North Korea and their potential proliferation of nuclear weapons, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter reaffirmed the Department of Defense's commitment to bolster defense efforts across the Pacific and equip U.S. Servicemembers with the most comprehensive, cutting edge warfighting equipment available.
In fact, Secretary Carter stated during a visit to South Korea on April 9, 2015, "This is the place where we ask our forces to be the most ready all the time," said Carter. "We know "fight tonight" is not just a slogan; it's the real deal."
"One thing it means is that a lot of our newer capabilities, the ones that we're making investments in, are going to be flowing into this theater because of the importance we attach to it. This is a demanding theater with one-half of the world's wealth and population."
ENHANCED FOCUS ON MULTILATERAL ENGAGEMENTS
While Secretary Carter's commitment to equip servicemembers serving in the Pacific will provide an additional effective deterrent, another way to maintain stability and prosperity in the region is through cooperative multilateral engagements.
In pursuit of this objective, Eighth Army regularly conducts combined training with allies and partners in the region, to develop combined training concepts, discuss regional humanitarian assistance and disaster response relief efforts, and promote the spirit of partnership.
Ultimately, the enduring partnerships Eighth Army establishes with South Korea and other allies in the region allow the U.S. Army to foster and lead adaptable, multinational coalitions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to crises, and win in conflicts, when necessary. By establishing these trusted relationships, Eighth Army has built a framework that ensures stability and security will continue to prevail here on Freedom's Frontier.
ARMY'S FLAGSHIP GARRISON COMMUNITIES/TRAINING ENVIRONMENTS
This is an exciting time to serve in the ROK-U.S. Alliance as we move into a future that ensures we are postured to continue to defend South Korea and maintain stability and peace in the region. But it is also an exciting time to serve as a Pacific Victor Soldier because both the U.S. and South Korea have invested over $10.7 Billion to construct modernized communities for Eighth Army Soldiers, Civilians and Family Members. Once construction is complete, Eighth Army forces stationed in Pyeongtaek at Camp Humphreys will work and live at the Army's flagship garrison.
As a result of this investment in the infrastructure at Camp Humphreys, military families living in South Korea will continue to enjoy a family-friendly environment, but will also have state of the art quarters, schools, hospitals, military shopping centers and other modern facilities that will enhance the unique cultural experience of living in North East Asia.
CONCLUSION
As the Army prepares for an increasingly complex operational environment in the future, there is no better place to serve than in South Korea as an Eighth Army Soldier. The opportunities to develop as a Soldier and leader while participating in combined and joint training with other U.S. military services and with our Korean partners is unmatched anywhere else in the world. Doing this while continuing to deter the real-world threat posed by North Korea and defending the Korean Peninsula provides a purpose and mission focus to everything we do.
From our storied legacy of service in the past, to maintaining the Army's first permanently integrated combined training environment in the future, it is an exciting time to be a Pacific Victor. Eighth Army: The Warfighter's Assignment of Choice.
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