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U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL UNIT RELOCATES TO FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON

8th United States Army
Public Affairs Office
Yongsan Army Garrison, Republic of Korea

Press Release 06-20041217
December 17, 2004

Yongsan Garrison, Korea -- The Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 23rd Chemical Battalion and two chemical companies have completed their relocation from Korea to Fort Lewis, Washington, as the final phase of the chemical decontamination mission transfer to the ROK Army.

Approximately 160 Soldiers of the 23rd Chemical Battalion, part of the 19th Theater Support Command in Taegu departed Osan Airbase for Fort Lewis and the details of the movement are closed as of Dec. 17.

The Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) Soldiers, previously assigned to the 23rd Chemical Battalion, have been assigned to other U.S. Army units in Korea.

"We're facing the changes and making progress," said Col. William D. Ivey, Chief of Staff of the 8th U.S. Army. "We have several factors enabling these changes. The ROK Army has made tremendous improvements in their capabilities over the last 50 years. In addition to the transfer of the chemical decontamination mission to the ROK Army, the ROK Army assumed responsibility for training, training support and combat service support of the United Nations Security Battalion in the Joint Security Area mission in November. These factors, plus the U.S. Army's need to transform to a modular and more lethal force enables us to realign and consolidate our capabilities to defend Korea."

The transfer of the chemical decontamination mission from the U.S. military to the ROK military was completed in Aug. 2004. The US military will transfer 10 missions to the ROK military as part of the Strategic Policy Initiative (SPI) mutually agreed to by both nations. Ongoing consultations will ensure the smooth and effective transition while maintaining combined deterrence. Collectively, these changes reflect a positive picture of an alliance in transition.