The Army's 50th Infantry Division announced Sunday that it will conduct the "2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise" in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province area from Monday through Aug. 28 to strengthen combined US-Korea and integrated defense readiness.
The UFS exercise will integrate combined US-Korea forces with civilian, government, military, police and fire department personnel. Actual troops and equipment will maneuver in the field, and training munitions including blank rounds and smoke grenades will be used.
Through the exercise, the division aims to build its capacity to respond to integrated crisis situations in order to protect civilian lives in emergencies, while also enhancing pan-government national mobilization capabilities — fulfilling its role in defending the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province region.
A division official asked for residents' understanding and cooperation as troops and equipment move through the area during the exercise. "If anyone asks about the location of military or nationally important facilities, or if you spot a suspicious individual, please report it immediately to the nearest military unit or call 1338 — no area code needed," the official said.
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