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Freedom Shield

An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.

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Video by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Heuston
216th MP Co. Deploys To Romania
Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office
Aug. 1, 2024 | 3:08
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – More than 30 Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 216th Military Police Company will participate in a deployment ceremony here at 10 a.m., Aug. 1, before departing to their mobilization station and on to Romania for a nine-month mission.

Once in Romania, they will conduct law enforcement duties on a military installation, to include security patrols, base entry, and customs duties for transiting American military members arriving from other countries, ensuring no contraband or prohibited items, per general orders, are possessed.

"There’s no prouder calling than serving one’s nation," said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “These Guardsmen are trained and ready for this mission. We’re thankful to their families for the love and support they will give their Guardsmen over the course of this deployment, and we’re thankful for the support of their employers who will surely miss them while they are away.”

The 216th was originally created as a field artillery battery in West Memphis, Ark., in the 1950s. It converted to a military police company in 2000 and moved to North Little Rock, Ark., in 2009.

The 216th Military Police Co. was federally mobilized in 2003 to provide garrison security at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for one year. Its members directly deployed overseas from Fort Leonard Wood to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2004 for its first overseas deployment. The unit deployed again in 2008 to Iraq to provide convoy security in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 216th deployed on federal orders in 2014 to Afghanistan to serve as prison guards in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 216th deployed more than 30 to Romania in November 2023.

The 216th’s members have supported numerous domestic missions, such as disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and numerous state active duty missions in support of floods, ice storms, and civil unrest.
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Press Information

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes

Press Release
Mar. 20, 2025

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes
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A combined assault force of U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations personnel conduct a direct action raid on a time sensitive target in an underground facility during a multiday training event associated with exercise Freedom Shield 25 at a training site located east of Seoul, on March 17, 2025. The training event served as a capstone to two-weeks of various training that maintained the combined readiness and lethality of U.S. and ROK special operators. The routine training enables a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region through a strong deterrent force. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Zacherl)

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct r...

News
Mar. 19, 2025

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct routine combined training during exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, and the Acting President of the Republic of Korea, Sang-Mok Choi, take a group photo at Command Post Theater Air Naval Ground Operations, March 18. The acting-ROK President’s visit focused on discussing the importance and progress of Freedom Shield 2025 and the future of joint ROK-U.S. operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo, USFK Public Affairs)

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TAN...

News
Mar. 18, 2025

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TANGO During FS 25
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The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, U.S. Air Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force train during Exercise Freedom Shield 25, a defense-oriented, annual exercise featuring live, virtual and field-based training that engages alliance forces and governmental agencies.

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Na...

News
Mar. 15, 2025

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Navy Conduct F-35 Air Integration Training during Freedom Shield...
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F-35 Lightning IIs from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Republic of Korea Air Force flight in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during integration training for Freedom Shield 25, March 13, 2025.

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25

News
Mar. 14, 2025

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25
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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II with the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, takes-off from Cheongju Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 12, 2025. The full-scale rehearsal of Republic of Korea Air Force and Seventh Air Force capabilities at the tactical and operational levels guarantees the strength of the combined air component to defend and defeat any threat to the Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 13, 2025

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25
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Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 12, 2025

Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25
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Seventh Air Force begins air component operation...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Seventh Air Force begins air component operations in Freedom Shield 25
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U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert "Todd" Brown, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division, deputy commanding general, learns the control interface of a commercial aquatic drone during Freedom Shield 25 at a training area near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 11, 2025. The demonstration showcases the capabilities of cutting-edge underwater vehicles to enhance operational readiness. Freedom Shield 2025 is a multi-domain military training program that integrates ground, air, naval, space and cyberspace elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat situations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner)

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater...

News
Mar. 11, 2025

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater drone for Freedom Shield 25
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ROK Soldiers assigned to the 5th Corps Engineering Brigade River Crossing Company and Soldiers assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ROK/U.S. Combined Division, complete construction on a joint bridge, during a combined wet gap crossing exercise, near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024. ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U)

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shiel...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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The Republic of Korea and United States announce...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

The Republic of Korea and United States announce Freedom Shield 25 exercise
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COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference ...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference for Exercise Freedom Shield 25
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