Seoul – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District supported the exercise Key Resolve 2012 Feb. 27-March 9.
Key Resolve is an annual joint-combined Command Post Exercise which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance and enhances the combat readiness of ROK and U.S. supporting forces. FED’s participation demonstrated the District’s continuous and uninterrupted support of U.S. Forces Korea and the Alliance through armistice, crisis, and contingency.
“Throughout the exercise in Seoul, Daegu and Korea wide, FED stood ready to support our customers, stakeholder, and the Alliance,” said Col. Donald E. Degidio, Jr., Commander of FED. “We did some fantastic things this exercise and I truly appreciated everyone’s professionalism, discipline, work ethic, safety, and attitude that really made a difference.”
The District coordinated with the Korean Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Education to acquire a Wartime Host Nation Site (WHNS) at a local university. Doing so required careful and precise planning from FED’s Logistics and Information Management Office.
“I am proud that we were able to make this site fully operational and able to use it for an extended period,” said Degidio. “This is something that FED has never done before and a very remarkable milestone.”
During the exercise, FED was not operating alone. The Pacific Ocean Division along with the 416th Theater Engineer Command deployed engineers to enhance the readiness of FED.
According to Mitchel Glenn, the Pacific Ocean Division’s Military Planner, this was the first time that a POD Forward Advance Echelon deployed early to take command and control of the deployed Forward Engineer Support Teams.
“At the end of the day, our success was directly related to the support we received by our in country host, the Pacific Ocean Division Far East District,” said Maj. William R. Holstine, 416th Theater Engineer Command.
In addition to POD, the Northwestern Division, Portland District, and Seattle District handled the reception, staging, onward movement, and integration portion of the exercise. This ensured that the Forward Engineer Support Teams could deploy to Korea ready and without delay.
Many members of FED are Emergency Essential (EEC) or Mission Essential Civilians (MEC). These personnel will remain with the District during contingency operations even if all others are evacuated.
“For those FED Emergency and Mission Essential Civilians, special thanks,” said Degidio. “You are what make the Far East District the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Maneuver District.”