By Jun Ji-hye
The United States Department of the Army has approved rotational deployment of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, to Camp Hovey, north of Seoul, in February next year, according to the Eighth Army, Wednesday.
The 1st ABCT is replacing the 2nd ABCT, also from the 1st Cavalry Division, who are returning to Fort Hood.
The 1st ABCT, which has the nickname “Ironhorse Team,” will deploy and conduct operations in support of U.S. Forces Korea, enhancing the capabilities of the ROK-U.S. alliance, the Eighth Army stated in a release.
During their nine-month rotation, the 2nd ABCT served under the 2nd Infantry Division and the ROK-U.S. Combined Division, training with their ROK counterparts in unified land operations.
The Eighth Army said that these routine deployments support the U.S. security commitment to the ROK armed forces as specified by its mutual defense treaty and presidential agreements. Such deployments are also aimed at meeting the U.S. National Security Strategy imperative to invest in the capacity of its strong and capable partners in the Asia-Pacific region, it added.
“The ROK-U.S. alliance remains committed to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Asia-Pacific,” the release said. “The U.S. will maintain the same level of commitment now and in the future in Korea in order to deter aggression and defend against external threats.”
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