Courtesy Photo | Servicemembers of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Task Fleet and the U.S. Pacific...... read more read more
CHINHAE NAVAL BASE, Republic of Korea — In a significant step toward strengthening regional defense cooperation, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Task Fleet and the U.S. Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center (PIC) co-hosted the inaugural Korean Integrated Air and Missile Defense Tabletop (IAMD) Event, KITE 2025, at the Combat Systems Training Center from April 28 to May 2, 2025.
Building on lessons from an earlier ROK Integrated Air and Missile Defense Seminar, KITE 2025 is a groundbreaking event focused on strengthening operational coordination between ROK and U.S. Forces.
For the first time, the ROK Navy used the International Simulation (I-SIM) system which is a state-of-the-art tool that simulates ballistic missile defense scenarios. It combines air and maritime assets, resulting in a more unified and responsive ROK-U.S. air defense strategy. Participants received hands-on training using the I-SIM system, an immersive simulation platform designed to replicate real-world conditions.
The PIC facilitated the event, reinforcing its critical role in fostering regional defense partnerships.
“Unity, integration, and prioritization are now more important than ever,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Belote, PIC director. KITE’s central objective was clear: strengthen interoperability to counter complex and emerging threats including North Korea’s hypersonic missile capabilities and space-launched vehicles (SLVs).“We can defend anything, but we can’t defend everything.” said Belote.
Participants emphasized the necessity of joint operations, intelligence sharing, synchronized engagement capabilities and authorities to ensure layered defense coverage across all domains: land, sea, air and space.
The Joint Ballistic Training and Education Center (JBTEC), provided instruction leading to expert discussions designed to lay the intellectual groundwork for integrated operations. Senior leaders reaffirmed their commitment to joint training and emphasized the importance of expanding trilateral cooperation with Japan, an important move to boost regional deterrence and strategic reach.
Topics covered during KITE 2025 included regional intelligence updates, principles of defense and joint planning, Command and control processes, allied and partner integration strategies, and defense design considerations.
The exercise focused on executing Regional Air Defense Command operations within the Korean Theater of Operations, giving participants a practical opportunity to apply IAMD concepts in a realistic combined and joint setting.
The event concluded with senior leaders from the ROK Navy and the United States outlining a path forward to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. Belote also presented certificates of achievement to top ROK and U.S. officers, recognizing their outstanding contributions.
“Neither nation can do it alone. Only together can we achieve our shared security goals,”said Capt. Jeong In Cheol, Commodore of Maritime Task Squadron 71. In his closing remarks, Cheol stressed the importance of experience-sharing to further strengthen trilateral cooperation in missile defense.
A diverse group of military leaders and planners from the Republic of Korea and the U.S. participated, including the ROK Navy Task Fleet Command, ROK Air Force’s AMDC, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, Combined Naval Forces Korea, CJ38 Theater Missile Defense Division, U.S. Pacific Fleet (N36), U.S. 7th Fleet IAMD, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF A5/8), the PIC, the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Forward Command Element–Korea, the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and the 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment.
KITE 2025 marked a significant step forward in joint training, interoperability, and strategic planning. As regional tensions and missile threats continue to evolve, sustained collaboration between the Republic of Korea, the United States, and allied partners remains essential to preserving peace, deterrence, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2025 14:46 |
| Story ID: | 498010 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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