U.S. and South Korean soldiers carry out a joint attack during combined small-unit training at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 11, 2026. (South Korea Ministry of National Defense)
U.S. and South Korean troops have completed 12 days of training in the California desert aimed at sharpening their ability to fight together in modern combat, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.
About 120 South Korean soldiers from the 5th Armored Brigade trained March 4 to 15 alongside troops from the U.S. 3rd Cavalry Regiment at the Army’s National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, according to a ministry news release.
The exercise focused on improving coordination and tactical performance in a challenging, warlike environment, the ministry said. Troops responded to simulated battlefield scenarios under intense heat and heavy dust during the day, then continued training at night as temperatures dropped sharply.
“We could significantly improve firing and tactical maneuver capabilities,” South Korean Lt. Col. Jung Young-min said in the release.
The National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., is known for its harsh desert terrain and wide temperature swings, conditions designed to replicate real-world combat.
U.S. and South Korean soldiers discuss mission procedures during combined small-unit training at Fort Irwin, Caliif., March 11, 2026. (South Korea Ministry of National Defense)
Although the exercise emphasized small-unit training, Irwin’s nearly 750,000 acres allow for large-scale maneuvers, including armored warfare drills against a dedicated opposing force, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The training center provides combined-arms exercises for brigade combat teams, including Stryker and armored units, according to a 2023 Defense Department environmental impact statement.
“Fort Irwin is one of the few places in the world where brigade-size units (5,000-plus soldiers) can test their combat readiness due to Fort Irwin’s size, design, and terrain,” the report said.
The installation also includes more than a dozen mock villages designed to simulate urban combat environments.
South Korean and American troops have trained together at the site annually since 2014, the ministry said.
This year’s training emphasized real-time battlefield information sharing and faster response to evolving threats, according to the release. Troops also practiced counter-drone operations and integrated fire support, including air defense and mortar systems.
“The South Korean military showed great adaptability and teamwork in an unfamiliar environment,” training center commander Brig. Gen. Brandon Anderson said in the release. “No alliance is stronger than the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and tactical understanding and cooperation between service members from both countries have deepened through this training.”
