Defence completes Key Resolve exercise in Korea

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have returned from the Republic of Korea after working with Republic of Korea and United States defence personnel during Exercise Key Resolve 2015.

The annual two-week exercise enhances military interaction between the ADF and defence forces of other United Nations Command member nations for the defence of the Republic of Korea.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston said 17 Australian Defence Force (ADF) and civilian personnel had formed a small part of a multi-national command post exercise that featured computer simulation to portray the broader military operating environment.

“This exercise has been a valuable tool in allowing Australian personnel to contribute to a massive multi-national exercise and improve our interoperability with key allies,” VADM Johnston said.

“Alongside our relationship with the United States, Australia has been a strategic partner of the Republic of Korea since the Korean War and maintains close military ties with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces.”

Exercise Key Resolve was conducted from 2-13 March 2015 and hosted by the Combined Forces Command (CFC), a bilateral ROK and US (ROKUS) organisation responsible for the conduct of military operations on the Korean peninsula.

The exercise started with training for participants and a seminar for General officers. Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, as well as specialist Defence civilians, also participated in a two-part computer-assisted exercise in various locations in the Republic of Korea.

“The exercise practiced coordinating defensive operations on the Korean peninsula, including simulating multi-national coalition operations utilising the United Nations Command member nations,” VADM Johnston said.

The Australians formed a small part of up to 50,000 personnel from the US, South Korea, Canada, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. The Commander Australian Contingent was Group Captain Ralph Kettle.

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