Apache Chopper Unit to Be Relocated in March

The Defense Ministry and the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command said yesterday that they plan to relocate one of two Apache attack helicopter units in Korea to Iraq and Afghanistan around March.

The United States will deploy in their place 12 A-10 combat attack aircraft and two MH-53 helicopters to Korea.

U.S. Eighth Army Commander Joseph Fil told a news conference at the ministry that one Apache attack helicopter unit will return to Fort Carson in Colorado for eventual redeployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.

He added A-10 combat attack aircraft and MH-53 helicopters will be deployed to the U.S. Forces Korea, and the number of operators will be increased for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft against North Korea.

Fil said Korean ground forces have been considerably reinforced, and the U.S. Army in Korea will provide extensive support to the Korean Navy and Air Force. He also dismissed reports that additional F-16 fighters will be dispatched to Korea.

U.S. forces in Korea operate 27 A-10 attack aircraft, with 12 more to be deployed between next month and March next year.

ysh1005@donga.com