2SBCT, ROK conduct bilateral training for Foal Eagle

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hammond | Spc. Brody Scott, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, explains how to properly adjust the sights when firing the 81mm mortar cannon to 137th Mechanized Infantry Soldiers during bilateral training for exercise Foal Eagle at New Mexico Range Complex, South Korea, March 14. Foal Eagle is a joint military exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea that kicked off in early March with a focus on enhancing the combat readiness posture of the ROK-U.S. alliance through combined and joint training at multiple echelons.  

NEW MEXICO RANGE COMPLEX, SOUTH KOREA

03.14.2015

Story by Sgt. Christopher Hammond 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

NEW MEXICO RANGE COMPLEX, South Korea – Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team partnered with the 137th Mechanized Infantry, Republic of Korea Army, to conduct small unit level bilateral training to kick off exercise Foal Eagle in South Korea, during the first half of March.

Foal Eagle is a joint military exercise between U.S. and Republic of Korea started March 2nd with a focus on enhancing the combat readiness posture of the ROK-U.S. alliance through combined and joint training at multiple echelons.

“For us the number one priority is partnership,” said Capt. Nathaniel Carter, commander for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2SBCT. “We are building readiness and relationships through working together and partnership as much as we can throughout Foal Eagle.”

The U.S. and ROK Soldiers conducted several small unit bilateral training events to develop individual proficiencies including mortar training, close quarter marksmanship, air assault operations and artillery training.

“Were going over our standard tasks and drills on the 81MM Mortar Cannons,” said Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Flanders, mortar squad leader, 1-27th IN, 2SBCT. Flanders added that working with Republic of Korea Soldiers builds combat readiness between the two nations.

To increase the flexibility of ROK-U.S. Army training, Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, added the aviation capabilities of the UH-60 Black Hawk.

“Aviation is pretty crucial because aviation is used in everything we do in the Army,” said 2nd Lt. Lara Stack, 1-27th Infantry liaison officer, 2-25 Aviation, 25th CAB. “Our ROK counterparts don’t regularly get the chance to work with that aviation piece, so when we are able to fly, support, and partner with [the U.S.] and ROK Infantry in a training environment like this it’s a great opportunity.”

From air assault operations, mortar, and close quarter marksmanship training the Soldiers of SBCT and the 25th CAB remain confident that the relationships, readiness and partnerships already established will only strengthen our countries ties.

“In case of any future humanitarian assists missions or conflicts, in the future, they know they have a partner in the United States,” said Capt. Carter.

Following the bilateral training 2SBCT and 137 MECH IN are scheduled during the remainder of Foal Eagle to conduct large scale training exercises that will culminate with a Combined Arms Live Fire Range at the end of March.

• Date Taken: 03.14.2015
• Date Posted: 03.18.2015 06:47
• Story ID: 157329
• Location: NEW MEXICO RANGE COMPLEX, KR