RED CLOUD GARRISON, South Korea -- What would happen to a loved one accompanying a person in Korea if all noncombatants needed to be evacuated from Korea due to war, civil instability, or a natural disaster'
United States Forces Korea (reciting the mantra "ready to fight tonight," meaning all Soldiers stationed in Korea are ready for anything that may come their way) tasked all garrisons, as well as the 2nd Infantry Division, to conduct a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation, May 14-16.
The purpose of the semiannual exercise is to educate and prepare all noncombatants, i.e., all personnel unable to stay in a combat environment to provide support, for the evacuation procedures used in the event of an evacuation.
The exercise engaged all military and Department of Defense personnel to bring about a smooth operation. The chain of command from the 2nd ID provided the manpower for security points surrounding USAG-Red Cloud and USAG-Casey main gates and the gyms, were monitored by Soldiers in full combat dress, i.e., advanced combat helmet, combat vest with plates, nuclear, biological and chemical mask and M-16 rifles.
Soldiers checked identification and bags of all people coming on to the post, and asked what business they were conducting during their visit.
"It takes a lot of manpower," said Capt. Kelly King, officer in charge of Courageous Channel. "Setting up security around the post and taking control is good training for the Warrior tasks and Soldier drills all Soldiers need."
Each NEO warden was given a list of noncombatant evacuees, including family members, to advise and monitor during the exercise. NEO wardens kept close contact with families and gave them all the necessary documents to fill out. They also mapped out the best route to the evacuation point, and told them what to do in an actual evacuation crisis.
Pfc. Andrew Anderson, Headquarters Company, USAG-RC, a NEO warden, described the exercise as the easiest part, because "just trying to keep up with a long list of families was a challenge itself."
NEO wardens checked the evacuees list of necessary items, (ID's, list of address, etc.) before walking them through stations to make sure they were logged in the system as a noncombatant.
The point of having all the services there, including their employees, was to help new noncombatants or noncombatants with updated information, get the help they need in the event a shooting war occurs in Korea.
"NEO is something very near and dear to my heart," said Spc. Michelle Dennis, an intelligence analyst involved in the exercise.
"I have been a military spouse for 20 years. Before I joined the Army, I was involved in Family Readiness Groups and other services. Now my children are with me in Korea, and I want to make sure everyone knows how important NEO is and, if shooting starts, they are ready to evacuate so Soldiers can 'fight tonight.'"
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