Helping to keep Korean Peninsula stable

ADF personnel took part in Exercise Freedom Shield in South Korea with local, US and other nations’ troops from March 9 to 19.

Australians participated as augmentees to the United Nations Command (UNC) during the large-scale command-post exercise, to enhance defensive capabilities and strengthen readiness, while upholding stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The UNC Deputy Commander, Australian Lt-Gen Scott Winter, said the international cooperation was strategically important as a powerful symbol of unity and deterrence.

“There’s a lot of theory around what constitutes deterrence. But one thing we do know is that many flags make a difference in the mind of potential adversaries,” Lt-Gen Winter said.

“Each nation coming here, recommitting themselves to security on the peninsula through their presence during an exercise, is a great opportunity for us to fly those flags together.”

UNC was established in 1950 to command forces fighting back against North Korea’s invasion of the south. Today, it enforces the armistice that ended the Korean War and integrates multinational forces.

Australian participant Maj Matthew Mandl said the exercise was a good chance for different nations to train together.

“As we’re seeing around the world, it shows how important our international partnerships are to keep the region safe,” Maj Mandl said.

Australian exercise contingent commander Col Nick Bolton said the ADF augmentees not only honed their warfighting capabilities but reinforced Australia’s commitment to regional security.