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Eighth Army participates in Ulchi Freedom Guardian

By Walter T. Ham IV, 8th U.S. Army Public AffairsAugust 16, 2010

Eighth Army participates in Ulchi Freedom Guardian
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COMMAND POST OSCAR, South Korea - Eighth (Field) Army is honing its ability to defend the Republic of Korea from Aug. 16 - 26 during exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian, the world's largest annual command post exercise.

"The ROK-U.S. Alliance maintains security here in the Republic of Korea and stability throughout the entire region," said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Schweiger, 8th Army Chief of Staff, "and exercises like UFG keep us ready to deter, and if necessary, defeat any aggression or provocations against the Republic of Korea."

Schweiger said 8th Army will train together with its Korean allies and with U.S. units around the globe during the command post exercise.

"The great prosperity in South Korea was built on the foundation of security provided by generations of warriors who have served on freedom's frontier," said Schweiger. "We welcome the opportunity to once again train together with our allies and to maintain our ability to fight and win."

Originally called Ulchi Focus Lens, UFG takes place around the same time every year, and it is the second of two annual peninsula-wide exercises.

The exercise is named after Ulchi Mundeok, an early Korean military leader who repelled an invasion by China's Sui Dynasty in the 7th century.

Related Links:

8th U.S. Army Web site