South Korea, US conduct joint maritime infiltration drills

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean and US army special operations troops conducted joint drills this week on maritime infiltration capabilities, Yonhap News Agency reported Thursday.

The three-day exercise, which concluded Wednesday, took place around Anmyeon Island in South Chungcheong Province, according to the South Korean Army.

Around 40 troops from both sides participated in the exercise.

Two US F-16 fighter jets and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were also used during the drill.

The latest drills were held in conjunction with the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise between the two countries, which concluded Thursday.

"The US and the Republic of Korea today concluded Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 25, reinforcing the Alliance's defensive posture, enhancing combined readiness, and demonstrating the ability to deter aggression and, if necessary, defend both nations' homelands," the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command said in a statement.