YONGSAN GARRISON, SEOUL, Republic of Korea --
United States rotational Special
Operations Forces (SOF) recently arrived to the Republic of Korea to train with
ROK Special Warfare Command and increase Alliance special operations readiness
and capability on the peninsula.
MC-130J Commando II aircraft and crews join ground SOF elements
from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 75th Ranger Regiment at this Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) exercise. Throughout 2015, U.S.
air, maritime and ground SOF conducted combined training and complex joint training events with their ROK special operations partners in the rugged
terrain and off the waters of the Korean peninsula.
Sustaining
rotational U.S. special operations forces in Korea strengthens the alliance by
ensuring a high level of ready, flexible, and agile combined special operation
forces and enables the Commander, United Nations Command/Combined Forces
Command/United States Forces Korea to leverage SOF capability to deter regional
asymmetric aggression, and maintain peace for the Korean people.
SOCKOR
is an operationally focused headquarters of United States Forces Korea (USFK)
committed to the ROK-U.S. Alliance. SOCKOR, in coordination with U.S. Special
Operations Command, conducts rotational SOF partner engagements and
comprehensive combined/joint training with elements of the ROK special
operations units. These sustained engagements enhance U.S.-ROK SOF partnerships
and increase readiness and capability on the Korean Peninsula, while providing
strategic options to Alliance leaders which ensure regional stability.