Key Resolve/Foal Eagle - 2012

Key Resolve Feb. 27-March 9 is an annual joint-combined Command Post Exercise which demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance and enhances the combat readiness of ROK and U.S. supporting forces.

Eighth Army trained with its South Korean allies during exercise Key Resolve from Feb. 27 through March 9. Defensive in nature, the annual computer simulation exercise is conducted by the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command around the same time every year. Exercise Foal Eagle, a field training exercise held from March 1 to April 30, coincides with Exercise Key Resolve. The command post and field exercises incorporate the full range of equipment, capabilities and personnel.

During Key Resolve 2012, Eighth Army practiced its role as a combined joint task force headquarters from a mobile command post and integrated dozens of Republic of Korea Army officers into the task force.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division supported the U.S. Forces Korea readiness exercise Key Resolve. The Pacific Ocean Division supported the exercise by deploying engineers to enhance the readiness of the Far East District through Field Force Engineering. FFE consists of two categories: deployed and reach back. POD established reach back through a Base Camp Development Team which assumed command and control of the deployed Forward Engineer Support Teams.

This was the first time that a POD-Forward Advance Echelon (ADVON) deployed early in support of this exercise. Upon arrival at Camp Carroll, POD-Forward ADVON established communications and developed a battle rhythm beginning with situation reports and conference calls to POD as the rest of the POD elements were processing through reception, staging, onward movement, and integration in the U.S.

POD-Forward ADVON was able to quickly organize and assume responsibility roles when they arrived in theater. They were then prepared for the arrival of the FEST teams and structured a training schedule to ensure they received transportation support, in processing, mission essential equipment and adequate time to research and begin drawing data on their assigned missions.

POD-Forward was augmented with personnel from the 416th Theater Engineer Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit stationed in Hawaii. Use of the 416th TEC contributed to the success of POD-Forward and greatly increased the training value of Key Resolve 2012.