South Korean media: U.S. Next-Generation Military Unit Breaks Through China's Defense Network, Conducted 2 Drills in South Korea

¬ Colonel Wade Germain, Commander of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force

It has been confirmed that the U.S. Army's most elite and rapidly deployable unit capable of conducting operations across land, sea, air, cyberspace, and space—known as the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)—has already conducted two drills in South Korea. Established by the United States specifically to counter China and Russia’s Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) strategies, the deployment of MDTF in South Korea has drawn significant attention. Currently, the U.S. operates three MDTFs, with two deployed in the Indo-Pacific region; the next MDTF will be stationed in Japan. The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander, Xavier Brunson, has advocated for deploying an MDTF in South Korea.

On the 13th local time, at Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Colonel Wade Germain, commander of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, gave an interview to the *Chosun Ilbo*, stating: “During last year’s ‘Freedom Shield’ exercise and this year’s March ‘Freedom Shield’ joint U.S.-South Korea military drill, parts of our multi-domain task force were deployed in South Korea and conducted training.” The annual Pacific Army Symposium hosted by the U.S. Army Association took place from the 12th to the 14th in Honolulu. This interview was arranged during the event, marking the first time a South Korean media outlet has interviewed an MDTF officer.

Germain said: “Our mission is to dismantle adversaries’ Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) strategies within the First Island Chain.” He added, “We must achieve deployment and conduct operations ahead of any crisis, so we can strike without hesitation inside the adversary’s A2/AD 'umbrella' protection.” The First Island Chain refers to the line stretching from Kyushu and Okinawa in Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines. Conducting strikes within this range can be interpreted as targeting China.

Anti-Access (A2)—preventing an adversary from approaching specific regions—and Area Denial (AD)—hindering enemy operations within a designated area—are essential concepts for understanding current U.S.-China military strategy. Adversaries are attempting to use long-range missiles to restrict U.S. military operations within the First Island Chain, while relying on aircraft carriers and other assets to break through the Second Island Chain (a line connecting Honshu, Japan, Guam, and Palau). In response, the U.S. military established the MDTF. This unit gathers intelligence via reconnaissance satellites, space sensors, drones, and beyond-line-of-sight radars, then combines military intelligence and signals intelligence to assess the situation before executing electronic warfare, cyberattacks, psychological operations, and other missions.

Germain stated: “If the enemy establishes a strong A2/AD 'umbrella' using advanced long-range strike capabilities,” “any attempt by us to enter that area would inevitably result in devastating attacks from enemy long-range missiles, ground-to-air air defenses, ground-to-ground missiles, and ground-to-ship systems.” He explained: “Under such circumstances, the MDTF launches cyber offensives, effectively protects our own networks, and prevents the adversary from gathering intelligence. Then, leveraging space-based capabilities, we disable the enemy’s communication systems and disrupt their weapon systems, rendering them inoperable.”

Germain also noted: “The MDTF can precisely detect enemy combat power using long-range reconnaissance equipment and instantly share intelligence with long-range fire units to enable precision strikes.” He emphasized: “The role of the MDTF is to dismantle the adversary’s ability to sustain its A2/AD defense network, thereby creating a ‘window of opportunity’ for our main forces to exploit and overwhelm the enemy.”

Germain pointed out: “We aim to integrate all available reconnaissance and strike capabilities.” He added: “Our long-term goal is to share in real time, with the Republic of Korea military or other allied forces, the enemy target data collected by the MDTF through numerous advanced sensors and surveillance assets, enabling them to launch their own attacks.” If deployed on the Korean Peninsula, the MDTF could more accurately monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile development activities, and during wartime, it could initiate cyber warfare, electronic warfare, or space warfare operations.

At this year’s LANPAC conference themed “Victory Through Transformation and Innovation,” MDTF was a central topic. The U.S. Pacific Army announced the integration of the 1st MDTF with the 7th Infantry Division to establish a new Pacific Multi-Domain Command. Brunson reiterated his desire to deploy an MDTF in South Korea, while U.S. Eighth Army Commander Joseph Hilbert stated: “The U.S. military can provide core capabilities that the ROK military currently lacks through forces like the MDTF.”

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865491673589961/

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