ROKA Ground Forces Festival

by SSG Vincent Abril

GAE-RYONG, South Korea – The Republic of Korea army hosted their annual Ground Forces Festival Oct. 4 on Gaeryong airfield, home to the Republic of Korea’s army, navy, and air force headquarters.

In its 10th anniversary, the week-long festival was full of surprises and packed with festival tents boasting several attractions for the young and the old.

The servicemembers dazzled the visiting civilians with military equipment such as tanks, helicopters, airplanes, artillery, and multiple styles of weapons.

“It has been 60 years since the Korean War, however, there are still some groups hostile against the Republic of Korea,” said Col. Koo Jae Seo, the ROKA Ground Forces Festival officer in charge. “Within the young generation of Korea, there are some who are unconcerned about our national security, which can fall at any moment.” “This festival not only targets them and the local people, but the entire nation.”

The festival hosted over a million people last year and officials hoped this years festival would bring even greater numbers.

Among the many static displays present was an AH- 64D Longbow Apache from company A, 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, along with its pilot and crew. Chief Warrant Officer Aaron K. Fish, one of the pilots from 4-2nd Avn., expressed his appreciation for being able to participate in the festival and hopes the civilian populace will learn from this unique experience.

“I hope the most important thing they learn is that we are still here for them with all the capabilities that we bring to the table to help protect their nation,” Fish said.

Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and the 8th U.S. Army Band, who performed as the musical ambassadors to the festival, also showcased their capabilities and equipment at the event.

“By participating in these types of events we are showcasing our equipment to show that we are in this together,” said 1st Lt Eric Y. Kim of the 8th U.S. Army Civil Affairs Office. “By attending this event, we are helping project a positive image to the general public and they will also have a chance to interact with American Soldiers.”

The military hopes the event promotes their military forces capabilities and boosts the confidence of the Korean civilians that the U.S.-ROK alliance is ready to protect their country.

“We want to allow people to experience programs such as field training exercises, guerilla training, and airborne demonstrations,” Koo said. “We want the civilians to see the ROK-U.S. Alliance in a more intimate way than ever before.”

Adults and children had the opportunity to experience military culture for themselves by holding the military weapons, tasting the military food, and seeing a traditional army barracks display. The ROK air force also made several formation flyovers entertaining the crowds.

“The Ground Forces Festival truly unites the people of the ROK and the U.S. through a relationship that is embodied in the spirit of ‘Katchi Kapshida’,” said Kim.

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