U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea -- Combined Forces Command will begin exercise Freedom Shield (FS23) March 13, 2023. The word 'Freedom' in the name refers to the strong will in protecting freedom as an immutable value of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and 'Shield' symbolizes the defensive nature of the exercise.
The exercise will be conducted over an 11-day period and will integrate elements of "live exercises" with constructive simulations.
Participating units will include personnel from the ROK Military, United States Forces Korea (USFK), United Nations Command (UNC), and subordinate component commands under CFC, along with augmentees, civilian personnel and representatives of the United Nations sending states.
The exercise will include but not be limited to lessons learned from current and ongoing conflicts to increase the units’ combat readiness and combined defense posture, as well as strengthen the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and across Northeast Asia.
In addition to FS23, several combined field training exercises (FTX), collectively called Warrior Shield FTX, will also be taking place around the Korean Peninsula. The name Warrior Shield stands for the ROK-US Alliance's ability and resolution to solidify their combined defense posture to defend the ROK.
The purpose of the training for Warrior Shield FTX, is to further enhance the ROK and U.S. militaries’ cooperation through air, land, sea, space, cyber and special operations, and improve upon tactics, techniques and procedures.
The ROK-U.S. Alliance remains at a high level of readiness and continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture. All professional militaries train using routine and continuously executed events to maintain proficiency, credibility and trust.
Freedom Shield 23 is the latest example of that training and the ironclad commitment to support and defend the ROK sovereignty from any threat or adversary.