S. Korea, US conduct 1st joint short-range air defense exercise on Korean Peninsula

South Korea and the U.S. forces have conducted their first joint short-range air defense drill amid growing threats from North Korea.

The exercise involved South Korea's air defense unit and the soldiers from the U.S.' 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, according to the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). It was held recently in Pocheon, north of Seoul, with no specific date given.

"The field exercise allowed the ROK and U.S. troops to gain familiarity with each other's weapon systems and capabilities, with an end goal of building an enduring partnership between the two units," it said.

This marked the first time that the allies held a combined short range air defense training drill in South Korea.

The short range air defense, also known as SHORAD, is aimed at effectively countering inbound low-altitude aerial threats like North Korean jets, transports and helicopters.

"The units are planning more combined training events to further expand their scope of understanding and strengthening their newly casted relationship," the USPACOM said.