The Noncombatant Evacuation Operation exercise Courageous Channel 2015 will start Oct. 6 and run through Oct. 30 at various installations in the Republic of Korea.

Courageous Channel is designed to exercise U.S. Forces Korea and subordinate commands on running a NEO and provide participating family members a walkthrough of the procedures they will need to know if called to evacuate.

During the exercise, noncombatant evacuees are required to have their NEO binders checked, receive a NEO briefing and participate in the Assembly and Registration portions at on-post NEO sites. Participation is mandatory for all DOD-affiliated noncombatants with a date eligible for return from overseas date (DEROS) of Dec. 1, 2015 or later, including non-emergency essential U.S. government employees.

The Assembly and Registration portion of the exercise will take place from Oct. 23 through Nov. 1. During this portion, participating family members practice processing through the NEO lines. More information on the on-post NEO site locations and hours of operation will be provided by the local installations.

Courageous Channel is critical to the readiness, taking care of our family members and DOD-affiliated personnel in the event of an evacuation due to a crisis such as war or a natural disaster. 

It improves our overall mission readiness as we exercise our NEO plans, which will enable more efficient operations.

These exercises are not related to any specific real-world event or current situation.

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For information concerning the exercise, please contact USFK Public Affairs.