S. Korea, U.S. hold first joint Army special operations drills of year

The Army's special operations troops wrapped up this year's first combined exercise with the U.S. Green Berets on Friday, officials said, amid joint efforts to hone combat capabilities against North Korean threats. The exercise took place at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, 51 kilometers northeast of Seoul, from Jan. 22, involving troops from the North Star battalion under the Army Special Warfare Command and the U.S. 1st Special Forces Group, according to the South Korean Army. The two sides staged various drills, including those on combat shooting and first aid, special reconnaissance, and directing air support, it said. They also formed combined teams to stage a two-day reconnaissance and infiltration exercise without sleep to identify and destroy a target by directing simulated air strikes. "The Army Special Warfare Command will closely analyze the exercise's results and strengthen education and training to enhance combined special operations capabilities," the Army said in a release. The exe rcise took place amid heightened tensions from North Korea's continued weapons tests, including the launch of several cruise missiles off its western coast on Tuesday. Source: Yonhap News Agency