US Forces Korea as a Pacific Logistics Hub? Largest-Ever Drill Conducted

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The leadership of U.S. Forces Korea has repeatedly stated its vision to assign USFK the role of a logistics hub for the Pacific region. Recently, the largest-ever joint South Korea-U.S. combined logistics and sustainment exercise was conducted. Analysts suggest this is a rehearsal to transform South Korea into a central axis for wartime material transportation.

Reporting from Kim Taehun, defense specialist reporter.

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A modular pier and naval vessels are connected behind a large commercial ship with a black hull.

Even if coastal ports are absent or destroyed, this exercise involves deploying modular piers at sea to transport supplies and troops.

Large-scale modular piers are floated off the coast to easily land heavy-duty trucks.

Amphibious vehicles that act as transport ships at sea and trucks on land are also mobilized.

This was the Korea-U.S. Joint Sustainment Exercise held over four days until the 16th in the areas of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and Hongcheon, Gangwon Province.

Some 4,400 South Korean and U.S. service members, along with over 600 pieces of equipment including ships and aircraft, were deployed.

[Frederick Crist / Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, UNC/CFC: When the use of fixed ports is unavailable, the South Korean and U.S. armed forces act as a single team to conduct training on transporting troops, supplies, and equipment from sea to land.]

This largest-ever logistics and sustainment exercise took place amid the USFK leadership's vision to transform USFK from being tied solely to the Korean Peninsula into a logistics and supply hub for the Pacific region.

USFK Commander Brunson emphasized that logistics and sustainment are not the tail of deterrence, but the vital teeth, while Eighth U.S. Army Commander Hilbert made the following remarks regarding USFK's role as a hub.

[Joe Hilbert / Commander, Eighth U.S. Army (Last May, LANPAC Symposium): If the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command [of USFK] remains focused solely on supporting the Eighth U.S. Army on the Korean Peninsula, it would be a tragic waste of resources that could be utilized by the entire Indo-Pacific joint force.]

Some analyze that an "upside-down East Asia map" produced by USFK serves as the blueprint for this Pacific logistics hub.

South Korea and the U.S. plan to continue the Joint Sustainment Exercise on a biennial basis, with analysis suggesting it serves as a "rehearsal" to actualize the USFK hub plan.

(Photo courtesy of Kim Hyun-sang | Video by Jung Yong-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.