SEOUL — The Combined Forces Command will conduct its largest annual training exercise at the end of this month, according to a statement the command released Friday afternoon.
“The Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command … announced today that the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration exercise … will be held 25-31 March in Korea,” the statement said.
Foal Eagle, a joint and combined field training exercise, also will be conducted during the same period, according to the release.
RSOI focuses on honing combined U.S. and South Korean forces’ ability to receive and integrate forces from outside the country. Foal Eagle focuses on rear-area security and stability operations, onward movement of critical assets and select war-fighting training events.
This year will mark the 45th Foal Eagle exercise and the fifth time it’s been combined with RSOI, which was first held in 1994. While the simulated enemy never is named, the exercise scenarios involve an enemy whose characteristics mirror those of North Korea.
This year, 17,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea will participate. About 3,000 troops from off-peninsula will travel here for the exercise and roughly 5,000 U.S. troops will take part in off-peninsula locations, according to U.S. Forces Korea officials.
