South Korea, US Hold 4,400-Troop Logistics Drill, Reviving Over-the-Shore Training After 9 Years
Updated
Updated · Stars and Stripes · Jul 16
South Korea, US Hold 4,400-Troop Logistics Drill, Reviving Over-the-Shore Training After 9 Years
3 articles · Updated · Stars and Stripes · Jul 16
Summary
More than 4,400 South Korean and U.S. troops ran the allies’ largest-ever combined sustainment exercise this week in Pohang and Hongcheon, testing how to keep combat forces supplied in contested conditions.
For the first time since 2017, the drill included over-the-shore logistics—unloading cargo without a working port—and the first interoperability test of South Korea’s joint logistics over-the-shore system introduced in 2025.
About 600 pieces of equipment, including naval vessels, floating piers, amphibious cargo vehicles and Humvees, moved supplies from Dogu Beach inland to training areas, linking sea, land and air logistics.
The exercise also rehearsed mass-casualty evacuation and treatment, while U.S. and South Korean commanders said the operation is meant to reduce reliance on any single seaport or supply route.
Officials said the capability is hard to stage because it requires years of planning and strategic sealift, underscoring the allies’ push for more flexible wartime sustainment options.
How does this massive logistics rehearsal change North Korea's strategic calculations for a potential conflict?
The drill landed supplies without a port, but can they survive the journey inland under constant enemy fire?
As adversaries target supply lines, can AI and drones truly secure the modern battlefield's vulnerable lifeline?
Strengthening Allied Readiness: Key Outcomes from the 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Joint Sustainment Training
Overview
The 2026 Combined Joint Sustainment Training (CJST), held from July 13 to 16, brought together allied forces to strengthen joint sustainment capabilities and interoperability. A key highlight was Dragon Lift, a combined medical support event where Republic of Korea and U.S. medical teams practiced casualty evacuation and trauma care in realistic mass-casualty scenarios. This hands-on training ensured allied medical personnel are well-prepared to respond to complex emergencies, directly supporting the overall readiness and effectiveness of the alliance. The exercise demonstrated a strong commitment to cooperation and adaptability in facing modern security challenges.