Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

First ROK/U.S. combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) conducted at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex for three weeks from February 3

- The exercise involved the deployment of 2,000 troops and 140 pieces of equipment, including K1A2 tanks, U.S. IAV Strykers, and AH-64 Apache helicopters.

- It aims to strengthen small-scale interoperability with the U.S. Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

○ Amid severe cold of minus 18 degrees, the ROK/U.S. Army engaged in this year’s first combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) to maintain strong combined operational capabilities.

○ The exercise was held for three weeks starting on February 3 at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, with the participation of approximately 2,000 troops from the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (Armor Battalion), the 2nd Quick Response Division (Quick Response Battalion), the 15th Infantry Division (Armor Battalion), the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division and the ROK/U.S. Combined Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team Battalion). In addition, 150 pieces of equipment were deployed, including K1A2 tanks, K21 infantry fighting vehicles, and U.S. IAV Strykers.

○ This exercise aimed to ensure that soldiers of the Stryker Brigade Combat Team assigned to Korea in October 2024 could adapt to the winter weather and geographical features of the Korean Peninsula and to strengthen small-scale interoperability between the ROK and the U.S. military.

○ The combined arms live fire exercise, initially conducted solely by the U.S. Stryker Brigade Combat Team, was joined by a battalion under the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division in July last year, marking the first participation by the ROK military. Afterwards, the ROK/U.S. military upgraded the exercise to a ROK/U.S. combined exercise based on the findings that such collaboration could foster an increased understanding of mutual tactics, improve interoperability, and strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance.

○ This year, based on the performance of the exercise, participating ROK units were expanded to three divisions, and the exercise focused on verifying and practicing various aspects of interoperability.

○ Moreover, the ROK and U.S. sides are increasing the effectiveness of the training by making additional deployments of the U.S. M777A2 Lightweight Towed Howitzer, U.S. AH-64E Apache helicopters, and U.S. Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.

○ ROK/U.S. soldiers formed small combined units and mastered combat skills in various situations, including close air support (CAS), artillery operations, air assault operation, mobile force day and night live-fire training, and obstacle breaching operations. They increased interoperability and mutual understanding with active discussions on combined tactics and follow-up reviews.

○ The ROK Army will continue to strengthen interoperability and combined defense posture by further expanding units and types of ROK/U.S. combined training exercises. <end>