CP-TANGO, Republic of Korea – Republic of Korea Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jin Young-seung visited the Combined Forces Command Wartime Command Post (CP-TANGO) on March 11, 2026, to assess readiness during the ongoing Freedom Shield 26 exercise.
Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented, combined, joint, all-domain training exercise integrating ground, air, naval, space, and cyber elements. The exercise is designed to enhance readiness, simulate realistic threats, incorporate lessons learned, address evolving security challenges in the region, and strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance’s ability to deter and defeat aggression.
U.S. Army Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, commanding general of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, welcomed Gen. Jin and provided a mission briefing reinforcing the ironclad commitment of the combined force to the defense of the Republic of Korea.
“What you see within Combined Forces Command is the evolution of this alliance,” said Brunson. “ROK and U.S. service members share the same watch and the same weight of responsibility. That’s a demonstrable strength our adversaries have to account for every single day.”
During the visit, Brunson and Jin inspected the combined and joint operational posture, reviewed the progression of Freedom Shield 26, and observed the Theater Operations Center, which oversees all military operations on the Korean Peninsula.
Gen. Jin and Gen. Brunson shared the view that amid a rapidly changing security environment and evolving threats, a firm combined defense posture rooted in the Fight Tonight readiness posture is more important than ever. They agreed on the need to strengthen consultations to further develop the combined defense system based on shared values and common objectives aimed at maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.