U.S. and ROK Armies Conduct Joint Wet-Gap Crossing Training Exercise

Strategic Insights -

The 2025 Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise showcased the collaborative efforts of the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) armies in conducting a wet-gap crossing training exercise. This joint operation, as part of the annual combined exercise program, highlighted the ironclad commitment between the two nations to maintain a robust combined defense posture and defend the people of the ROK from any threat.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. and ROK armies conducted a combined wet-gap crossing training exercise as part of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, showcasing their collaborative efforts in maintaining a robust combined defense posture.
  • The exercise involved assembling parts of a bridge with a bridge erecting boat, allowing engineers to construct and anchor floating bridges, ensuring sustained mobility across water obstacles.
  • The U.S. and ROK Soldiers worked together to construct the floating bridge, with the ROK Army using a KM3 amphibious bridging vehicle and the U.S. using their improved ribbon bridge.
  • The exercise demonstrated the ability to support armored vehicles, ensuring allied forces can move combat power across water obstacles.
  • The combined operation required precise maintenance for different pieces of equipment, highlighting the logistical challenges of planning an exercise of this scale.
  • The interoperability between ROK and U.S. forces was demonstrated, showcasing the seamless cooperation between the two nations in conducting a perfect river-crossing operation.
  • Lessons were learned on both sides, with the U.S. teaching the ROK Army tactical procedures and the ROK Army sharing their expertise in bridge construction.

Statistics:

  • The exercise involved the largest-scale event within the exercise in terms of manpower, equipment, and logistics, with U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Connor McGuiggan stating that "essentially, we take floating pieces of bridge, put them on our trucks, drop them into the water, and then we assemble them with our boats."
  • The U.S. and ROK armies worked together to construct a bridge over 100 meters in length, with multiple sections of the bridge being combined in sequence to create a complete crossing.
  • The exercise involved the use of a KM3 amphibious bridging vehicle, capable of expanding into a bridge piece, and the improved ribbon bridge, which was connected to the KM3 to create a seamless crossing.
  • The combined operation required the coordination of multiple pieces of equipment, with over 100 personnel involved in transporting equipment and assembling the bridge.

Sources:

  • U.S. Army-Asia Pacific
  • Staff Sgt. Brea DuBose, "U.S. and Republic of Korea Armies Conduct Wet-Gap Crossing Training Exercise" (Aug. 28, 2025)
  • 2nd Lt. Connor McGuiggan, 814th Multi-Role Bridging Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2d Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2d Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division
  • Lt. Col. Sang Urn Park, Commander, 312th Wet Gap Battalion
  • U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Sanders, 814th MRBC commander
  • ROKA Capt. Hyo Sang Kim, commander of the Mechanized Wet Gap Company