Leadership from across the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) took part in a staff ride to Incheon to learn about Operation Chromite and the crucial role Incheon played in the Korean War July 15.
 
Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of United Nations Command (UNC), CFC, and USFK, Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, Eighth Army Commanding General, and other U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders from CFC and USFK visited Incheon Landing Memorial Museum, Green Beach, Radio Hill, Observatory Hill, and MacArthur Monument to conduct on-site discussions.

During one of the discussions at Green Beach, Scaparrotti emphasized the US-ROK alliance and what senior leaders can learn from the past.

 “U.S. and Republic of Korea’s alliance is very strong today and the spot we are standing on today was the very beginning of that alliance,” Scaparrotti said. “Even though many years have gone by there is enduring truth about the leadership, the dimension of war and techniques of combat that we can take away from something that happened many years ago.”

While touring Observatory Hill and MacArthurs’ Monument, Scaparrotti also shared how Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s successful amphibious operation inspired him as a senior leader.

“The bold decision made by General MacArthur despite of all the hazards that had led the battle to success, that we might need to make today,  is very inspiring,” said Scaparrotti. “When you looked in Incheon we tallied up all the natural and geographic handicaps and Incheon had them all, and yet we came here and succeed.”

ROK Army Maj. Gen. Suh Hyung Suk, CFC deputy chief of staff and senior member of UNC Military Armistice Commission, shared his opinion on how staff rides can build better understanding between ROK and U.S. senior leaders.

 “It is a great opportunity for all the senior leaders because learning wartime history and conducting on-site tactical discussion can bridge the gap between U.S. and ROK Army,” Suh said. “The tactical discussion that Gen. Scaparrotti newly implemented contributes to combat effectiveness in U.S.-ROK joint operations.”

Concluding the event, Scaparrotti shared his opinion and explained the importance of teamwork and leadership.

“It’s just a pleasure to be here,” Scaparrotti said. “This is a team building event with the CFC staff day out of headquarters to focus on building that team and also on the leadership in the military that we work every day.”

This staff ride event gave senior ROK and U.S. leaders the opportunity to discuss decisive military operations from the past. It also assisted ROK and U.S. commanders with the development and common understanding of past military operations that can be used for current and future decision making and execution.