I Corps completes successful UFG '15

Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider | Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, I Corps commanding general, meets with Gen. Hyunjip Kim, Third Republic of Korea Army commanding general, at the TROKA Headquarters, Yongin, South Korea to discuss Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2015 Aug. 21.  

YONGIN, SOUTH KOREA

08.28.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider 

I Corps

YONGIN, South Korea - I Corps strengthened its partnership while refining its ability to operate as a unified force during the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise in South Korea Aug. 24-27.

I Corps played its part in the overall exercise as U.S. and Republic of Korean forces completed another successful UFG 2015, Aug. 27.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian is an annual defense-oriented exercise that allows U.S. and ROK forces to enhance readiness and evaluate the two militaries capabilities while working together on the Korean peninsula.

"The purpose of Ulchi Freedom Guardian is really to reinforce our partnership with our Korean allies and reinforce the security on the Korean peninsula and what the United States means as a partner and as a treaty ally to the Republic of Korea army," said Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, I Corps commanding general.

The simulation-based exercise helped the two armies work on their ability to execute as a team.

"We have an extensive liaison team that is out here," Lanza said. "We've also leveraged our digital capabilities, so we can actually fight collectively together, but more importantly transfer information, transfer intelligence, transfer targeting data and build a common operating picture with our Korean allies."

The exercise helped I Corps continue to play it's part in shaping the Pacific region as well as strengthening a lasting partnership with the Republic of Korea army. I Corps is the main effort working with the Third Republic of Korea army for the UFG exercise, Lanza said.

Working with its TROKA partners posed challenges, but through a combined willingness and drive to cooperate and learn from one another, both sides gained valuable knowledge and came away as more capable partners, said Lt. Col. Blake Lackey, I Corps deputy chief of operations.

"UFG is a key part of our partnership," he said. "This exercise has afforded us the opportunity to continue to validate and execute our strong alliance and partnership. The TROKA soldiers we worked with were highly motivated and highly dedicated to working with us and the mission."

I Corps took part in the second part of the exercise and played a integral part in shaping the simulation's environment. The exercise allowed I Corps' staff sections to work on their war fighting functions while operating in a bilateral environment and build relationships with South Korean partners.

"What's important besides the military training and bringing militaries together is really continuing to sustain the relationship between our two militaries because that's what builds trust," Lanza said. "And with all the technology and all the equipment and all the military systems we have, the relationship we have between forces, the trust that we have between our militaries is real essential if we're going to work, operate and eventually if we have to fight together.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2015
• Date Posted: 09.02.2015 13:30
• Story ID: 175016
• Location: YONGIN, KR