A new paradigm for peace and security: First US-ROK combined division

Photo By Chin-U Pak | Staff Sgt. Kwon, Minzy, infantryman with the ROK's 21st Division practices weapons qualification during the 2nd Infantry Division's Expert Infantryman Badge testing and training on Camp Casey, South Korea, Oct. 7. Minzy along with Staff Sgt. Kim, Min Kyoung are the first women in the ROK army to earn the badge. The EIB is a grueling two-week course that has historically only been offered to males in combat arms specialties. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs Office)  

UIJEONGBU, SOUTH KOREA

01.15.2015

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division

UIJEONGBU, South Korea – The 2nd Infantry “Warrior” Division is entering a significant phase in its 100-year history. For more than 60 years, 2nd Inf. Div. Soldiers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Republic of Korea allies on Freedom’s Frontier keeping the peninsula secure against an aggressive and oppressive North Korean regime. The division is constantly seeking ways to further improve its readiness and strengthen the historic alliance it shares with the Republic of Korea.

The 2nd Inf. Div. is establishing a new organizational paradigm for the Republic of Korea-U.S. armies. This month, the division will enter a new phase in its enduring partnership with the Republic of Korea. They are combining forces with the establishment of a Combined Division and are preparing to emerge as a more decisive expeditionary force with collective capabilities for a robust combined deterrence and defense posture.

“The combined division construct is itself historic. It will be the first of its kind at any time in our history. U.S. and Korean Soldiers will literally operate as one unit with one unified effort,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Inf. Div. “Nowhere else has this been attempted to the extent that we are going to implement, and the fact that we are able to make this happen is momentous.”

Officers, noncommissioned officers and units will be attached to the division, allowing interoperability between the ROK and U.S. forces as well as planning for mission requirements; thus capitalizing on the strengths of both armies.

The Combined Division will be led by the U.S. 2nd Inf. Div. commander with a ROK Deputy Commander. The combined division will fall under Eighth Army in support of the ground component commander and will be composed of the already existing 2nd Inf. Div. structure and a brigade from the ROK Army.

Brig. Gen. Yin will serve as the ROK Deputy Commanding General and approximately 30 ROKA staff officers will support the commander’s core staff functions as primary and deputy staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff. Many will begin integration training next week.

The collaboration is unprecedented and a true testament of the strength of the ROK-US Alliance, building on its already strong and historic presence and partnership.

“The goal of this unification is to cultivate adaptive capabilities to deter and defeat future provocations,” said Vandal. “Together we will strengthen the Alliance and enhance the defense of the ROK.”

The combined division and its headquarters will initially be located in Uijeonbu at Camp Red Cloud. As part of the Land Partnership Plan (LPP), an agreement made between the U.S. and ROK governments, the combined division will move further south on the Korean Peninsula to Pyeongtak as facilities become available.

To kick off this move, the division participated in a groundbreaking ceremony this past April for its future headquarters at Camp Humphreys. The expansion and construction is a multibillion-dollar project that includes housing, medical, educational, and recreational facilities. The new headquarters, along with office and housing facilities, are scheduled to be complete by 2016.

• Date Taken: 01.15.2015
• Date Posted: 01.14.2015 23:02
• Story ID: 152011
• Location: UIJEONGBU, KR