ID :
30493
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 06:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/30493
The shortlink copeid
U.S. to replace Apache helicopters in Korea with superior aircraft
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- The United States will redeploy some of its Apache attack helicopters in South Korea to Iraq or Afghanistan next year, but will send 14 aircraft with increased fire power in their place, an informed source said Sunday.
Currently, two battalions of some 40 AH-64 Apache helicopters are operated by
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). One of the battalions, or about 20 Apache helicopters,
will be pulled out of Korea in March, according to the source, who asked not to
be identified.
"They will be restationed to Colorado first for their training. The unit has to
do certain training before going into active war zones and they will deploy to
Iraq or Afghanistan in fall of 2009," he said.
Washington had in the past tried to redeploy some of its Apache helicopters from
Korea, but such moves were often met with strong opposition from the Seoul
government, which feared a possible reduction of U.S. strength here.
"The situation we are facing today is that there is only a certain number of
Apache helicopters the Army has and the Army is struggling to meet their
requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan," the source said of Washington's need to
redeploy the attack helicopters from Korea.
Washington and Seoul have been in close consultation during the past five months
over the upcoming transition of U.S. force structure here, according to the
source.
Seoul was notified Saturday of the U.s. decision to redeploy the helicopters, he
said.
To make up for the highly capable attack helicopters, the U.S. has agreed to give
other aircraft to the USFK that will provide greater combat and deterrent
capabilities against North Korea.
"There will be 12 A-10 jets coming to Korea in March and there is also going to
be a detachment of two naval MH-53 helicopters (coming) before March," the source
said. The USFK will also be receiving a reinforcement of "intelligence collection
personnel" for its U-2 surveillance aircraft later next year.
Better known as a tank-killer, A-10 Thunderbolt II is capable of providing close
air support to ground forces.
"You will still have Apaches on the Korean Peninsula, but the other thing in
regard to A-10s is that they provide greater responsiveness, longer range, larger
precision munitions, and also they have greater versatility and survivability
compared to Apaches," said the source.
Seoul has been considering purchasing 36 used Apache helicopters from the United
States to provide close air support for its own troops.
The source said the redeployment of U.S. Apache assets from Korea is "unrelated"
to any future sale of Apache aircraft to South Korea.
The USFK was expected to make an official announcement of the scheduled departure
of its Apache helicopters later Sunday, he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- The United States will redeploy some of its Apache attack helicopters in South Korea to Iraq or Afghanistan next year, but will send 14 aircraft with increased fire power in their place, an informed source said Sunday.
Currently, two battalions of some 40 AH-64 Apache helicopters are operated by
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). One of the battalions, or about 20 Apache helicopters,
will be pulled out of Korea in March, according to the source, who asked not to
be identified.
"They will be restationed to Colorado first for their training. The unit has to
do certain training before going into active war zones and they will deploy to
Iraq or Afghanistan in fall of 2009," he said.
Washington had in the past tried to redeploy some of its Apache helicopters from
Korea, but such moves were often met with strong opposition from the Seoul
government, which feared a possible reduction of U.S. strength here.
"The situation we are facing today is that there is only a certain number of
Apache helicopters the Army has and the Army is struggling to meet their
requirements in Iraq and Afghanistan," the source said of Washington's need to
redeploy the attack helicopters from Korea.
Washington and Seoul have been in close consultation during the past five months
over the upcoming transition of U.S. force structure here, according to the
source.
Seoul was notified Saturday of the U.s. decision to redeploy the helicopters, he
said.
To make up for the highly capable attack helicopters, the U.S. has agreed to give
other aircraft to the USFK that will provide greater combat and deterrent
capabilities against North Korea.
"There will be 12 A-10 jets coming to Korea in March and there is also going to
be a detachment of two naval MH-53 helicopters (coming) before March," the source
said. The USFK will also be receiving a reinforcement of "intelligence collection
personnel" for its U-2 surveillance aircraft later next year.
Better known as a tank-killer, A-10 Thunderbolt II is capable of providing close
air support to ground forces.
"You will still have Apaches on the Korean Peninsula, but the other thing in
regard to A-10s is that they provide greater responsiveness, longer range, larger
precision munitions, and also they have greater versatility and survivability
compared to Apaches," said the source.
Seoul has been considering purchasing 36 used Apache helicopters from the United
States to provide close air support for its own troops.
The source said the redeployment of U.S. Apache assets from Korea is "unrelated"
to any future sale of Apache aircraft to South Korea.
The USFK was expected to make an official announcement of the scheduled departure
of its Apache helicopters later Sunday, he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
