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The United States and South Korean forces enhanced command and control capabilities and interoperability during Exercise Freedom Shield (FS) 25. The exercise took place from March 10 to March 20, 2025, and involved amphibious missions and air assault operations.

U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and the 1st Marine Division conducted various training missions alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps. Although the FS-25 phase has concluded, the Korean Marine Exercise Program (KMEP) will continue throughout the year.

During the Exercise Freedom Shield, units from III MEF and 1st Marine Division worked in close coordination with the ROK Marine Corps, forming a Combined Marine Corps Component.

Commanding General of U.S. III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Lt. Gen. Roger Turner noted that “Freedom Shield 25 was the perfect venue to demonstrate the strength of the combined U.S. and ROK Marine Corps team,” adding that “These exercises allow us to refine our tactics, strengthen our bonds, and rehearse our response to potential threats.”

Throughout the exercise, this joint force engaged in high-intensity, realistic training, enhanced command and control capabilities, planned and executed air assault operations, improved communication strategies, and ensured operational readiness for amphibious missions and other combined operations. The training reinforced the interoperability, resilience, and enduring partnership between the ROK and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Soldiers from @ROK_Army 17th Infantry Division and @ghoststrykerbrigade trained in urban terrain during Freedom Shield 25, enhancing readiness, MOUT skills, and host-nation cooperation.#FreedomShield25 #Build #Partnerships@eightharmy @USForcesKorea @usarmy @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/s6KedmHRHL

— U.S. Army Pacific (@USARPAC) March 29, 2025

As part of the ongoing Korean Marine Exercise Program, the U.S. and South Korean forces conducted a series of joint and combined training activities, including Maritime Prepositioning Force onload and offload, aerial refueling, combined air assault drills, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) training, land navigation, bridge construction, underground operations, and large-scale force-on-force exercises.

Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Ju Il-suk said, “These exercises were great opportunities for the combined ROK-U.S. Marine Corps to enhance their ability to conduct joint operations and validate interoperability.”

Lt. Gen. Ju Il-suk further highlighted that “The ROK-U.S. Marine Corps will continue to play a key role in the alliance by building on our strong bond of brotherhood and sustaining close military exchanges and cooperation.”

The 11-day exercise aimed to strengthen the defensive posture and interoperability of the U.S.-ROK alliance. A notable component was a river-crossing operation near the demilitarized zone, involving approximately 600 troops, 100 armored vehicles, and aircraft. During this drill in Yeoncheon, a 180-meter floating bridge was constructed to facilitate the crossing of armored vehicles.

Exercise Freedom Shield 25 highlights the long-standing military alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, grounded in the 1953 ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and the Armistice Agreement. Both exercises, FS-25 and the KMEP, reaffirm the Alliance’s critical role in maintaining regional peace and security, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the U.S. and ROK to defending their nations.

US 11th Air Task Force’s Participation in the Exercise

From March 10 to 14, the U.S. 11th Air Task Force (ATF) participated in the exercise for the first time and tested the unit’s ability to support real-world airpower operations in a dynamic environment. According to the U.S. Air Force statement, the 11th ATF was deployed to provide command and control and agile mission-generation capabilities during the exercise.

“The 11th ATF alongside the 11th Combat Air Base Squadron supported the 51st Fighter Wing and the 36th Fighter Squadron’s F-16 Fighting Falcon. Their mission was twofold: to provide C2 and base operating support-integration,” the statement added.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerome Clark, 11th CABS senior enlisted leader, highlighted the importance of the exercise and said, “The units came down here, and we provided that BOS-I [Base Operating Support-Integrator] to them so they could take care of the mission. With this, we were able to test our capabilities, BOS-I, as well as the C2 functions and accomplish the objectives we’ve been preparing for.”

A key highlight of Freedom Shield ‘25 was the critical support provided by the 11th ATF, which significantly streamlined operations for incoming units. By managing logistical and operational preparations, the 11th ATF enabled fighter squadrons to concentrate fully on their mission objectives.

Security Forces Airmen safeguarded the flightline, while the Logistics Readiness Squadron ensured smooth ground transportation and fueling operations. Meanwhile, the Operational Support Squadron delivered weather forecasting and essential base services, functioning as a mobile, self-sustaining unit capable of maintaining operations in austere conditions.

Through its role in Freedom Shield ‘25, the 11th ATF demonstrated its capacity as a deployable, self-sufficient force, mirroring the functions of a traditional Air Force wing. By employing agile combat employment principles, the unit showcased how forces can be effectively dispersed, mobilized, and sustained across a wide operational landscape.

In response to the drills, North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles and issued statements condemning the exercises as provocative, warning that accidental incidents could escalate into conflict.