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US Military Conducts Live-Fire Drills with Remote Weapon Systems in South Korea

The US Eighth Army conducted live-fire drills in South Korea featuring the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), which allows gunners to operate from inside armored vehicles. The exercises included training with the M249 and M240 machine guns to enhance troop proficiency. Separately, US Undersecretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier visited Osan Air Base to engage with personnel and reinforce focus on regional readiness. Lohmeier emphasized the base's critical role in deterrence and conflict prevention in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Points: US Military Live-Fire Drills with Remote Weapons in South Korea

  • Live-fire drills with CROWS remote weapon system
  • Training with M249 and M240 machine guns
  • Enhances crew safety during combat
  • Senior US Air Force official visits Osan Air Base
  • Focus on deterrence and readiness in Indo-Pacific
2 min read

US military stages live-fire drills using remote weapon system in South Korea

US forces in South Korea stage live-fire exercises using remote weapon stations and host a senior Air Force official, highlighting regional readiness.

"allows us to employ our machine guns from the safety of the cockpit - Capt. Noah Klein"

Seoul, Feb 5

The US military stationed in South Korea has staged live-fire drills involving a remote weapon station designed to be mounted on armoured vehicles, according to the US Eighth Army on Thursday.

The drills, conducted on January 28-29, involved assembling, preparing and operating the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), a remote weapon system mounted on armoured vehicles to protect the gunner inside, according to the US military.

The two-day exercise also involved live firing with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M240 machine gun to enhance hands-on training for the troops, reports Xinhua news agency.

The CROWS "allows us to employ our machine guns from the safety of the cockpit of the vehicle and not have to expose ourselves," said Capt. Noah Klein, 84th Ordinance Company commander.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Matthew Lohmeier, US undersecretary of the Air Force, visited Osan Air Base in South Korea last week as part of his tour of Indo-Pacific bases, the base's website showed Thursday.

Lohmeier visited the air base in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometres south of Seoul, on January 30, according to a release uploaded on the website.

During his visit, Lohmeier engaged with US airmen and guardians along with senior officials of the Seventh Air Force, the 51st Fighter Wing and Space Forces Korea as part of efforts to better understand how the base operates.

The visit reinforced the US Air Force's focus on readiness across the force and its continued investment in the people, programs and culture that enable airmen and guardians to execute their mission, according to the release.

"Being forward-postured in this region places Osan at the heart of deterrence, and their readiness is critical to protecting our nation and preventing conflict," Lohmeier said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Interesting to see the US's continued military investment in the region. From an Indian strategic perspective, a stable and secure East Asia is crucial for our own economic and security interests. These demonstrations of readiness are part of that complex balance. 🤔
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Aman W
"Forward-postured in this region" – that's the key phrase. It's a reminder of the global military chessboard. While the tech is cool, the underlying message is clear. Makes you think about the massive defense budgets and where all that money goes.
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Sarah B
As someone who follows defense tech, CROWS is a brilliant system for protecting personnel. Saving soldiers' lives is paramount. However, the constant drills and high-level visits do contribute to an atmosphere of permanent tension. Is there a diplomatic track running alongside this?
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Vikram M
Live-fire drills in South Korea, high-level US visits... the Indo-Pacific focus is sharper than ever. For India, navigating partnerships while ensuring our own strategic autonomy is the real challenge. Articles like this are a good reality check on the global security environment.
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Nikhil C
The article mentions "preventing conflict". That's the hope, yaar. But sometimes, too much show of force can have the opposite effect. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and diplomacy gets its fair share of the spotlight too. 🙏

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