US Army Apache attack helicopters in South Korea conduct weapons and rocket exercises, the US military announced on Monday, as Seoul seeks to bolster deterrence against nuclear power North Korea.
The training, the first of its kind since 2019, comes after North Korea conducted a series of weapons tests this year, including firing an intercontinental ballistic missile at full range for the first time since 2017.
The exercises will take place until July 29 near the highly protected Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, the US 2nd Infantry Division told AFP.
These will ensure that aircrews “are qualified to maneuver their Apaches, maintain dexterity in their helicopters and are capable of executing their mission if called upon,” a spokesman said in a statement sent to AFP.
“The 5th Squadron of the 17th Cavalry Regiment and the 4-2nd Attack Battalion are conducting aerial gunnery exercises to train their crews in the use of the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets and 30mm cannons,” it said. indicates on the twitter of the American infantry.
North Korea views this type of exercise with suspicion, which it considers to be training for the invasion.
South Korea and the United States, longtime allies on regional security, signaled in May that they were seeking to resume their joint military drills curtailed by COVID-19 and the breakdown of talks with the North Korean government.
South Korea’s new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, who took over the country in May, has vowed to toughen his stance toward North Korea.
