South Korean Army UAVs Enhance Training at Kunsan

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea: Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron here and South Korean army soldiers teamed up for combined nuclear, biological and chemical training June 23 and 24 at Kunsan Air Base.

The two-day training course presented the two forces with scenarios requiring them to protect and sustain mission capability at Kunsan AB.

During the training many missions were executed such as NBC reconnaissance using an unmanned aerial vehicle recon system, main supply road decontamination, detailed equipment decontamination and detailed troop decontamination.

"Our Korean allies are showing us their capabilities and how they will help us defend the base by decontaminating personal and equipment." said Capt. Delvin Ricks, the 8th CES readiness and emergency management flight officer.

The South Korean army showcased two helicopter-like UAVs, fitted with advanced biological detection and collection equipment during the combined training.

"Today we are going to verify the biological agent collecting system, in case of wartime the (South Korean army's) 35th homeland reserve division is going to support U.S. Air Force," said South Korean army Capt. Park, Ki Chul from the South Korean Army Chemical School Warfighting Experiment Center.

Captain Ricks said he now knows what to expect from the South Korean army and what kind of support they can offer. The combined training session allowed the 8th CES Airmen to we can see the South Korean army's procedures, give recommendations for improvement and also learn what they have to offer.

"(We know) we can count on them, we know there capabilities and we know they are confident," he said.

For many of the Airmen and soldiers involved it was their first time training with their allied counterparts. South Korean army Corporal Park, Chunyong South Korean army NBC decon team said he hopes to take part in future combined training opportunities.

"This training is pretty new to me. This is the first time that I have trained with the U.S. Air Force," he said. "It's been a great opportunity to have exercise with (South Korean army) and U.S. Air Force we would like to have more chances like this one."