USFK seeks more attack choppers, missile defenses

The U.S. Forces Korea has asked the U.S. government to send more attack helicopters and anti-missile defense systems in response to the growing threat from North Korea, its commander General James Thurman said Tuesday.

“In order to enhance war-fighting capabilities, I have asked for prioritization to receive an additional attack and reconnaissance squadron to bring to our combat aviation brigade,” Thurman told a forum hosted by the Association of the Republic of Korea Army.

“And I have asked for increased capabilities in terms of theater ballistic missile defense.”

The comments from the top U.S. military official here come at a time of increasing inter Korean tension.

North Korea conducted a long range rocket test on April 13, and reacted with the characteristic rhetoric to the international community’s criticism of the launch that failed.

On June 4, the North Korean military issued an ultimatum to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and conservative media organizations to choose between a “sacred war of revenge” or issue an apology for criticizing a propaganda event held in Pyongyang.

The ultimatum came less than two months after Pyongyang first threatened local news organizations of an attack that would annihilate them in “three to four minutes.”

In the latest threat, Pyongyang’s military also mentioned the coordinates of the Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo and Dong-a Ilbo, implying the possibility of precision strikes against the South Korean targets.

According to sources, the attack squadron Thurman requested will be Apache units extracted from South Korea to be deployed in U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the U.S.F.K. operated three Apache units here, two squadrons were dispatched to other regions in 2004 and 2009, leaving one unit on the peninsula.

Thurman also said that he has requested the U.S. government to dispatch an aviation battalion to the U.S. 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and to bolster Patriot missile units based in South Korea.

With top U.S. military officials having expressed concerns over North Korean provocations, the request appears likely to be accepted.

At a hearing at the House of Representatives in March, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Locklear said that North Korea looms as the most-pressing trouble spot and that U.S. needs to maintain a stable situation on the peninsula.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)