U.S., ROK and UNC to conduct Freedom Shield 26: Annual Exercise Enhances Combined Defense Capabilities and Regional Security

Photo By Spc. Kalisber Ortega | U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment and the 602d Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division/ROK–U.S. Combined Division, conduct munitions staging and sustainment preparations during a validation exercise (VALEx) as part of Talon Reach in support of Freedom Shield at an undisclosed location, March 10, 2026. Over the past 72 hours, the brigade set the theater by establishing distributed sustainment across the peninsula, activating Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) and positioning combat aviation munitions to support Apache precision fires missions. These efforts enable 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade to rapidly position combat power and execute an air movement of more than 1,100 miles while maintaining aviation forces ready to fight across the Korean Peninsula. Freedom Shield is an annual combined exercise conducted in support of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1953. This combined exercise highlights the ironclad commitment between the two nations to maintain a robust combined defense posture and to defend the people of the ROK and the United States from any threat or adversary. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kalisber Ortega)  

GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], SOUTH KOREA

02.25.2026

Story by Eun Chong Kim 

U.S. Forces Korea

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States will conduct Freedom Shield 26 from March 9-19, 2026. This annual exercise is designed to enhance the combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operational environment, thereby strengthening the Alliance's response capabilities.
FS26 is defensive in nature and will feature live, constructive, and field training events, engaging both military forces. Key training components will focus on executing all-domain operations, leveraging the unique capabilities of component assets.
In addition, ROK and U.S. units will participate in several large-scale live training exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability, reinforcing our combined defense posture, and increasing overall combat readiness. Several United Nations Command (UNC) member states are expected to contribute personnel and participate in various roles throughout the exercise.
The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, comprising representatives from Sweden and Switzerland, will observe the exercise.
Freedom Shield 26 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the United States, conducted in accordance with the spirit of the October 1, 1953, ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and in support of the Armistice Agreement. This exercise fortifies our combined defense posture and enhances our response capabilities, reinforcing the Alliance's role in regional peace and security. It reaffirms the commitment of both the United States and the Republic of Korea to maintain security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2026
• Date Posted: 03.04.2026 19:13
• Story ID: 558917
• Location: GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR