The annual combined command defense exercise Key Resolve is intended to improve the Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States Alliance’s ability to defend the ROK.

Led by the Republic of Korea and U.S. Combined Forces Command, the annual exercise involves Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea and, to a lesser extent, United Nations Command (Korea).

It is the latest evolution in a series of exercises to ensure the Alliance is fully prepared to respond to defend the ROK against hostile actions. The focus of the exercise is on training service members regarding their role in the defense of the ROK while exercising senior leaders’ decision-making capabilities, the abilities of units and formations to respond, and the verification of command and control relationships and means.

Between 1950 through 1953, 16 nations provided combat, combat support, and combat service support forces to the United Nations Command in response to North Korean aggression against the Republic of Korea. Concurrently with the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement on Jul. 23, 1953, military representatives of those 16 nations reaffirmed their national commitment to the UNC with a promise to return to Korea should the Armistice Agreement fail. Of those UNC Sending States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, and Great Britain are participating in Key Resolve 15.

Their contributions are coordinated through the Multi-National Coordination Center (MNCC).

“The role of the MNCC to coordinate with Sending States to facilitate integration, synchronization, and planning of multi-national forces into existing ROK and U.S. arrangements,” said Group Captain Ralph Kettle of the Royal Australian Air Force, Deputy Director MNCC. “The exercise has been a valuable tool in allowing MNCC personnel to practice, refine and evolve existing and established procedures and checklists.”