USFK to hold civilian evacuation drill in June
By Jun Ji-hye
The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) plans to conduct an evacuation drill in June to train soldiers to transport U.S. civilians living in South Korea to safety in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, sources said Sunday.
The drill could take place in a realistic way in which soldiers would evacuate their family members and other civilians to places such as Japan by transport planes. Computer-simulated training could also be conducted instead of a realistic exercise, sources noted.
The drill will be carried out as tension increases on the peninsula following the U.S.’ strong warnings against North Korea’s provocations and Pyongyang’s pledges of counterattacks against any U.S. use of military force.
“The regular Courageous Channel, which practices operations for a safe exit of USFK family members and other American civilians living here, is expected to take place sometime in June,” a source said on condition of anonymity, noting that the drill is part of Washington’s Non-Combatant Evacuation.
About 230,000 Americans live in South Korea including 28,500 servicemen.
The last drill, led by the Eighth U.S. Army’s 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command stationed in Daegu, was conducted last Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 after North Korea carried out its fifth nuclear test in September.
At the time, the USFK transported dozens of their family members from Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to Daegu by Chinook helicopter, and then to a base of U.S. Forces Japan by C-130 transport plane.
It was the first time in seven years that the USFK carried out such a realistic drill as they actually evacuated their family members off the peninsula. It was construed as the U.S. taking corresponding actions amid growing military tension at the time.
It is yet unknown whether the USFK will conduct another realistic drill like last year, or computer-simulated training in the upcoming drill.
But sources said the realistic one could again take place this time, given that Pyongyang is ratcheting up its harsh rhetoric against the Donald Trump administration, warning of war in response to any hostile actions by the U.S.
Speculation is also growing that the Kim jong-un regime may push for an additional nuclear test on or around April 25 when the North celebrates the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.
As part of its show of force against the North, Washington is sending a U.S. Navy strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to waters off the peninsula.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday that the strike group, including the USS Carl Vinson and its 80-plus aircraft, the guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer and USS Michael Murphy, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain, will arrive in the East Sea “within days” to warn the North against further provocations.