COMMAND POST OSCAR, South Korea - Officers from five of the nations that fought together with the United Nations Command in Korea 60 years ago participate in annual exercises such as Key Resolve/Foal Eagle and Ulchi Freedom Guardian.
Eighteen officers from five of the 16 UN sending states are supporting the Republic of Korea during exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2010 in the Multinational Combined Command-Main.
The mission of the MNCC is to provide a multinational liaison staff to assist the United Nations contributing nations to the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command.
MNCC's size and role doubled from last year's exercise, increasing from nine members from four countries to 18 members from five countries.
The participating countries are Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom and Denmark. All 16 nations that participated in the Korean War are invited to the exercise.
The increase represents greater involvement of the United Nations Command. This year, the UNC is participating during Part B of the exercise for the first time. This led them to work beyond the initial stages and required involvement in integration and employment with allied forces.
MNCC's extended participation is generating positive feedback.
"(United Nations Command Commander) Gen. (Walter L.) Sharp, last year, encouraged us to put some more effort in the exercise," said Lt. Col. Lawrence Yarema, senior liaison officer of Canadian Operational Support Command at MNCC Main at Command Post OSCAR.
"The more we play, the more the ROK and U.S. forces here become accustomed to our participation. As we grow and gain more contacts among the component commands and support commands, our role and the mission are becoming better understood," said Yarema.
When not participating in the exercise, multinational officers also take advantage of the opportunity to experience Korea by visiting cultural exhibitions, experiencing cities, enjoying food and meeting Korean people.
"We take the advantage of being here, to learn more about Korea," said Yarema. "We don't get over to this part of the world very often."
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