S. Korea, U.S. stage joint special operations drills

▲ A South Korean commando of the Army Special Warfare Command takes part in combined special operations drills with U.S. troops at the Army's Special Warfare School in Gwangju, 32 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this undated photo provided by the Army on Aug. 29, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ A South Korean commando of the Army Special Warfare Command uses a heavy-duty cutting machine to cut open a door during combined strike drills with U.S. troops at the Army's Special Warfare School in Gwangju, 32 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this undated photo provided by the Army on Aug. 29, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-Army drills

S. Korea, U.S. stage joint special operations drills

SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States have conducted combined special operations drills aimed at enhancing reconnaissance and capabilities to strike targets, the South's Army said Thursday, amid efforts to bolster deterrence against North Korean threats.

The five-day exercise began Saturday at the Army's Special Warfare School in Gwangju, 32 kilometers southeast of Seoul, involving troops from the Army Special Warfare Command, the Air Force Combat Control Team and the U.S. 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

South Korean commandos staged training on securing a target area, striking a facility and eliminating enemy forces. The troops departed the training area using U.S. UH-60 and CH-47 helicopters and South Korean choppers, the Army said.

The drills took place in conjunction with the allies' annual summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which ended its 11-day run earlier Thursday.

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