Ahn Gyu-back inspects Freedom Shield exercise sites.

Directs safe and effective execution of field training exercises.

Emphasizes strengthening combined defense posture and advancing independent defense capabilities.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back inspects the Freedom Shield 26 exercise by visiting the B-1 Bunker and encourages service members dedicated to accomplishing their mission on March 18.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back visited a Freedom Shield 26 exercise site and reiterated the importance of a watertight military readiness posture and combined defense posture.

While being briefed on the exercise situation in the combat control room, he noted the increasingly uncertain international security environment including recent expanding military conflicts in the Middle East and stressed, “Remember that the intensity of exercises and training determines combat power. Maintain a robust combined defense posture through intense exercises and realistic training, which are the destiny and lifeline of our service members.”

Minister Ahn urged, “War is a critical issue upon which the lives of our people and the ultimate fate of the state depend. You must carry out your mission with the pride and sense of duty that you here protect our people and the future of the Republic of Korea.”

At the Joint Operations Center, he commended the hard work of service members dedicated to their assigned missions. He urged, “This Freedom Shield exercise is about 70-80% complete. Although the exercise wraps up this week, ensure field training exercises (FTX) are conducted safely and effectively until completion on March 27.” Minister Ahn stated in particular, “While strengthening our combined defense readiness posture based on the robust ROK-US Alliance, no one should neglect efforts to build independent defense capability.”

He, during his visits last week to the Freedom Shield 26 exercise sites at the Defense Command headquarters and Combined Air Component Command, stated, “The ROK-US Alliance, forged with blood, is the foundation for the security of the Republic of Korea,” emphasizing a robust combined defense posture.

Defense Ministry officials explained, “This Freedom Shield exercise aims to verify the full operational capability (FOC) of the future combined forces command and enhance combined operational capability to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and respond to recent changes in the character of warfare. Through this training, the Republic of Korea and the United States reaffirm their robust alliance and further consolidate a combined defense posture to immediately respond to any threats.”

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>