The skies over the Korean Peninsula recently saw the arrival of a familiar sight for U.S. ground forces: the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. Assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, this formidable aircraft arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Jun. 12th, to support an ongoing joint, combined exchange training (JCET) with US Naval Special Warfare Command personnel.
JCETs are a crucial component of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s training regimen. These exercises, managed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, ensure US special operations forces (SOF) maintain combat readiness through honing their core skillsets.
“As a professional military force, we train to maintain our readiness,” said Brig. Gen. Derek N. Lipson, Special Operations Command Korea commander. The JCET allows U.S. personnel to refine their “SOF Core Activities,” a vital foundation for their specialized missions.
The AC-130J Ghostrider is a highly sought-after asset by ground forces due to its unique capabilities. This heavily armed gunship provides close air support and can operate over vast distances, making it particularly well-suited for the Indo-Pacific region. This deployment follows its recent participation in Exercise Balikatan 24 in the Philippines and a previous JCET in the ROK back in March 2023.
The joint nature of the training exercise on the Korean Peninsula underscores the diverse scenarios U.S. SOF personnel train for to maintain their peak readiness. “We’re hyper focused on supporting our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance to defend our homelands,” emphasized Brig. Gen. Lipson.
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