YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea (July 31, 2012) -- The U.S. Army's top operational headquarters in South Korea is charting a revolutionary mission change as the U.S. military shifts its focus to the Asia Pacific region.
Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson released a roadmap called "How We Fight" to outline the mission change.
"The potential for proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the emergence of global competitors, threats to the global commons and of course the provocative and dangerous regime in North Korea, demand that Eighth Army now assume a more prominent ready posture," said Johnson in the guidance.
Eighth Army is also incorporating lessons learned from a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan to better enable it to seize the initiative from any opponent under the most challenging conditions in some of the most rugged, complex terrain in the world, said Johnson.
"Eighth Army is preparing itself for the full range of unified land operations," said Johnson. "We train to be ready across the spectrum of conflict."
Founded on June 10, 1944, the Eighth Army liberated more 60 islands during World War II, served in the occupation force in Japan and commanded ground forces as the only U.S. Field Army in the Korean War.
From the Pusan Perimeter to Chipyong-ni, Eighth Army helped to turn the tide of the Korean War and has maintained security and stability on the Korean Peninsula ever since.
As a Field Army capable of conducting unified land operations across the full spectrum of conflict, Eighth Army continues to play a critical role in Korea and Northeast Asia, a vital and volatile region that is home to four of the world's six largest militaries and more than 25 percent of total U.S. trade.
"Eighth Army's enduring presence has long signaled U.S. resolve to our regional allies and potential adversaries alike," said Johnson. "It is Eighth Army -- America's Pacific Victors -- who today stand ready to defend our national interests and those of our allies whenever called upon, in armistice, in contingency or in war."
Related Documents:
How we Fight - Eighth Army Commander's Guidance [PDF]
Related Links:
Eighth Army returns to operational roots in Korea
Eighth Army CG addresses Korean Military Academy
Eighth Army signs historic agreement with ROK Army
Carter thanks American troops in South Korea
Army.mil: 60th Anniversary of the Koren War
Army.mil: Asia and Pacific News
STAND-TO!: Eighth Army - An Operational Field Army Headquarters
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