South Korean and U.S. Troops Train Together on Strategic Bridge Operations at Camp Humphreys

In a demonstration of allied coordination and logistical readiness, South Korean and American engineers began a week-long joint training exercise on Monday, focusing on rapidly building military bridges that could play a critical role in wartime mobility.

Roughly 50 soldiers from South Korea’s 1117th Engineer Group and the U.S. Army’s 11th Engineer Battalion, part of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, are participating in the drill at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, about 40 miles south of Seoul.

The exercise, which runs through June 13, centers on assembling and dismantling the Line of Communication Bridge (LOCB), the longest modular bridge system in the U.S. Army’s inventory. Designed for speed and flexibility, the LOCB stretches up to 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet) and is used to secure vital supplies and maneuver routes in the field.

This year’s training emphasizes practical cooperation between South Korean and U.S. troops, with a focus on enhancing interoperability and streamlining procedures for joint engineering operations. It began with classroom sessions on safety and equipment familiarization, during which American soldiers briefed their South Korean counterparts on the technical structure and field applications of the bridge system.

On the ground, the teams successfully assembled an 18.2-meter (roughly 60-foot) section of the bridge, working side by side to connect modular units across a training zone. The 4.2-meter-wide (approximately 14 feet) bridge is designed to accommodate military vehicles and heavy equipment during combat scenarios.

Captain Ryu Hyun Jung, a company commander with the 1117th Engineer Group, called the exercise a critical opportunity to gain firsthand experience with U.S. bridging systems and build joint mobility capabilities. “This training helps us prepare for any situation requiring quick and secure troop movement,” he said.

Staff Sergeant Kwon Rak Hyun, also with the 1117th, said the teamwork left a lasting impression. “I won’t forget the moment we lifted the bridge pieces together, chanting ‘safety first,’” he said. “It gave me confidence that we can execute real-world operations as a united force.”

The South Korean unit plans to incorporate lessons learned from the exercise into its future training goals, including more advanced tactical drills and large-scale joint maneuvers, to bolster overall readiness.