The United States Forces Korea’s 2nd Infantry Division is equipped well enough to counter North Korea’s artillery threats, and its counter-fire capabilities will remain the same even after the planned relocation of its base near the border down south, the division commander said.
“North Korean long-range artillery is a huge threat to stability in the area,” said Maj. Gen. Theodore Martin, commanding general of the 2ID, whose mission is to defend South Korea in the initial stages of a potential invasion from North Korea until other American units arrive.
The artillery-oriented North Korean military has one of the world’s biggest artilleries, including long-range multiple launch rocket systems and self-propelled guns, which put South Korea’s capital Seoul and the surrounding areas within their range.
“I am very fortunate, and I am the only division in the United States Army that has a three rocket battalion rocket brigades,” the major general said in a press conference Thursday inside the 2ID’s Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, located between Seoul and the Demilitarized Zone.
“The 210th Field Artillery Brigade has recently been reinforced with an additional rotation rocket battalion,” the commander noted.
Earlier this year, one more artillery unit was added to the 2ID’s field artillery brigade to enhance counter-fire response capabilities.
“We are very well-provided with precision guided munitions,” along with an exceptionally trained artillery brigade, Martin said, adding, “I am very satisfied with my capabilities at this time.”
The combat power will remain unwavering even after the 2ID moves its base away from the DMZ, the commander said, referring to its relocation plan, which will start in 2016.
Under an agreement between South Korea and the U.S., the entire division will start moving to the military compound in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, 70 kilometers southeast of Seoul, next year until the field artillery brigade last vacates the region presumably around the mid-2020s.
He said even after the relocation, the 2ID troops will continue training in Uijeongbu and adjacent border areas by railing their equipment into the areas.
“As far as reacting to an event of crisis, it will make no difference in how we will respond,” Martin said. “It does not matter where I am based, because of the wonderful infrastructure that the Republic of Korea has to allow us to rapidly move North or South by rail or road.”
Following the 1950-53 Korean War, 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea against North Korea’s potential invasion as the war ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty. (Yonhap)
