USAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea -- The ROK and U.S. are conducting Freedom Shield 2024, an 11-day exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, multi-domain, and interagency operating environment. The exercise began March 4 and continues through March 14, 2024.
This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the military services and other federal agencies.
One key aspect of the training event focuses on conducting multi-domain operations leveraging land, sea, air, cyber, and space assets with emphasis on counter nuclear operations and non-kinetic effects.
Exercise participates includes service members from 12 United Nations Command Member States, (i.e., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and the U.S.), all contributing additional personnel. Furthermore, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will observe and conduct third-party observations of the exercise, adhering to responsibilities outlined in the Armistice Agreement.
Conducted in the spirit of the Oct. 1, 1953, ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and in support of the Armistice Agreement, FS24 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the U.S. It reinforces the role of the Alliance as a linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to defend the ROK.
In conjunction with FS24, ROK-led and U.S.-led units will conduct several large-scale, combined training sessions, enhancing interoperability and elevating combat readiness. These exercises aim to bolster security and stability not only on the Korean peninsula but also across Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.