Military

Gateway

One of the most important elements in the defense of South Korea is the teamwork that exists between the United States and Republic of Korea armies. This cooperation is the backdrop for the Gateway training exercise at Camp Casey. Gateway is a simulated battle drill in which US and ROK artillery battalions work together to deliver counter-fire in the event of enemy attack. During Gateway, there are three different objectives. They are to develop cohesiveness with the 3rd ROK Army, to transition into the Warpath exercise and to control an Army Training Evaluation Program with Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery. The major mission is to provide counter-fire jointly with the ROK Army.

A successful and efficient Gateway exercise gives DIVARTY and its ROK allies the ability to shoot, move and communicate. What makes Gateway unique is that it is a field exercise in a realistic environment. The authentic setting makes a difference. It brings in all of the actual moving pieces. When you get out of the classroom and into the field, it's a reality check. Also involved with the exercise were "slice" elements from the 44th Engineer Battalion and the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery. These elements are there to support DIVARTY's counter-fire mission.

The importance of good communication is further evident upon inspection of the process that goes into formulating a fire order. The Tactical Operations Center is divided into several different sections, each with a specific responsibility. First, the S-2, or military intelligence, section will receive information regarding enemy forces via FM radio, LAN line or computer. They will then take this information and decipher what weapons the enemy is using and where they are located. Next, the Target Production Cell will generate targets based on where the enemy is firing from. Sophisticated radar systems are used in which enemy artillery locations are revealed by the trajectory of the rounds as they pass up and then back down through a horizontal plane created by the radar. D. Co. of the 1st Bn., 38th FA is DIVARTY's radar battalion. They, in conjunction with ROK radar, provide the TPC with the information they need to generate targets. Based on the information received and the targets generated, the operations officer will then make the decision on what to do next. If the order to fire is given, the next step is for the Fire Control Element to take over the proceedings. The FCE uses a system called the Automated Deep Operating Coordinating System.