USFK commander urges wider, mobile drills across South Korea citing Ukraine lessons

At a panel during the Association of the United States Army’s conference, Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, advocated for dispersing military exercises throughout South Korea, from Jeju Island up to Gyeonggi Province. He argued that the traditional focus on two large annual exercises leaves forces exposed, citing the Ukraine conflict where drones and other technologies have made fixed positions vulnerable.

Brunson highlighted a recent strategic exercise that involved helicopter-borne personnel testing mobility without troops on the ground. He also warned that North Korean forces are incorporating combat lessons from the Ukraine war into their own training and weapons development. The general proposed more frequent, geographically varied training between the major annual drills to enhance deterrence and readiness.