CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – Katchi Kapshida! (We Go Together!); a call to action symbolizing the alliance fortified in the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division.
Maj. Gen. Sung, Il, deputy chief of staff of sustainment, for the Republic of Korea Army, visited 123rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Bulldog,” 1st Armored Division (Rotational Unit), Feb. 8, to understand the unit’s sustainment operations and determine the level of support needed to maintain operations on the Korean Peninsula collectively.
Lt. Col. Charles Montgomery, commander, 123rd BSB, and his team provided Sung an overview of the Bulldog Brigade’s sustainment program as well as a guided tour of the motor-pool and company operations facilities, supply support activity, and brigade medical supply office areas showcasing the brigade’s combined sustainment operations.
“Strengthening the battalion's partnership with our ROK Army counterparts will always be a priority,” said Montgomery, Woodland, Mississippi native. “Our Soldiers continue to train daily in an effort to achieve the highest state of readiness to fight tonight. Currently, 123rd Brigade Support Battalion partners with the 86th ROK Army Maintenance Battalion. Bravo Company executed a joint field training exercise with 86th ROK Army Maintenance Battalion focusing on recovery and field maintenance operations. Holistically, the partnership improves interoperability between ROK and U.S. forces, which will pay enormous dividends during the conduct of tactical operations.”
The armored brigade’s combined sustainment operations are completely interdependent with their ROK allies. Capt. Rebecca Hyatt, native of Ogdensburg, New York, support operations-transportation officer, 123rd BSB, 3rd ABCT, 1st AD, discusses how U.S. and ROK Army integration ensures Bulldog Brigade’s combined sustainment program can support maneuver elements at any time.
“Our KATUSAs (Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army) are critical to our Army Pre-positioned Stock operations and with coordination with higher headquarters elements to ensure we can push sustainment support across the Korean Peninsula as required,” said Hyatt. “Not only do they manage transportation for our unit, but they also work with ROK Transportation Command for every brigade across the peninsula.”
The Bulldog Brigade has been deployed to the Republic of Korea since September 2018 as the sixth rotational brigade to support the 2nd ID/RUCD. The 123rd BSB, Iron Support Battalion, has continuously driven reception, staging, onward movement, and integration and sustainment operations across the Korean Peninsula with their ROK allies during their rotation.
“The most valuable lesson our formation has learned is to pay attention to the details. Conducting deliberate pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections before combat logistics patrols is paramount to mission success,” said Montgomery. “Also, understanding what sustainment resources are available is essential to providing the best support to the Bulldog Brigade and surrounding 2ID teammates. Sustainment provides the commander operational reach, operational endurance, and freedom of movement to defeat the enemy. The 2ID/RUCD Sustainment community is exceptionally strong, and their efforts will ensure tactical commanders can fight and win if called upon.”