It included artillery, tanks, and attack aircraft

The United States and South Korea are conducting the largest military exercises in years

Part of the joint exercises.

Reuters

A joint force of South Korean and US forces conducted live-fire exercises yesterday, including artillery, tanks and other weapons, in addition to attack aircraft, while the two allies intensified their military maneuvers.

Less than 20 kilometers from the fortified border with North Korea, South Korea and the United States resumed their largest field exercises in years, after diplomatic efforts and coronavirus restrictions curtailed many of the exercises.

The exercises included live fire from American and South Korean howitzers, tanks, machine guns and mortars.

A-10 attack aircraft and Apache helicopters also participated.

US Colonel Brandon Anderson said the exercises were not aimed at any adversary, and were intended to simulate fighting an enemy that could match allies in capabilities.

"We are training for large-scale combat operations," he added, noting that the conflict in Ukraine provided lessons about the importance of improving long-range artillery, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

He denied that these exercises were among those that were delayed for political reasons, but said that the Corona pandemic and logistical challenges had prevented the allies from carrying out live fire exercises so far.

Several major exercises have been called off since 2018 as former US President Donald Trump tried to persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons.

The Corona pandemic subsequently disrupted further training.

 US official:

The conflict in Ukraine provided lessons about the importance of improving long-range artillery capabilities.

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