Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

K2 black panther and K21 armored vehicle, quick as a flash of lightning and ‘Booming’ like thunder

Air operations command’s perfect covering fire and fighting force support for 500MD helicopter

Armored combat earthmover of the engineer unit, bashed on with minefield clearing

June 7, 10:00 a.m., under a burning summer sun. Biseung shooting range in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, surrounded by beautiful green mountains. There were tanks and armored vehicles belonging to the cavalry battalion of the 11th Army Division gathered together, creating an imposing presence while preparing a battle. The weather already felt like early summer with a hot and damp wind blowing from the mountain, but it was nothing compared to the atmosphere in the field. While the soldiers were feeling the heat, the signs of their nerves were plainly written on their faces. There was a sense of strong confidence and fighting will that they could win in their eyes.

The battalion had a combined arms exercise, mobilizing a K2 black panther, K21 armoured vehicle and 500MD helicopter belonging to the air operations command based on the premise of combating an enemy infiltration. Considering the mission characteristic of the cavalry battalion, the exercise focused on achieving a perfect integrated fighting operation procedure with army aviation by applying a ‘company team combat firing model.'

The full-scale exercise started when the tank platoon found the virtual enemy while moving. Breaking the silence of the shooting range, the K2 black panther maneuvered towards the enemy at high speed. The tank, which was fully armed with a 120mm smoothbore gun and machine gun, moved forward without a hitch thanks to its powerful 1,500-horsepower engine. A steep incline was up ahead, but the tank did not slow down. Then came the amazing maneuver: at an increasing speed, the tank went over the hill without any difficulty, bringing the enemy within gunshot range in next to no time. A K21 armored car tailgated the tank.

“Wham!”

As soon as the enemy was within range, the company commander ordered the soldiers to fire. The tanks and armored vehicles delivered concentrated fire on the enemy’s leading force with 120mm smoothbore guns and 40mm machine guns. Cannonballs burst with a deep, earthshaking rumble, dropping on targets accurately, and the enemy lines were burnt to the ground. Following that, a K30 self-propelled antiaircraft gun overpowered the enemy aircraft, which covered its aircraft with a 30mm anti-aircraft gun. Stirring up the strong, bush-shaking wind, three 500MD helicopters rose up into the air, and covered the tanks on the move as well as delivering fire support to create favorable conditions for our main force to go forward.

Suddenly, our smoothly progressing attack was put on hold. While penetrating into enemy territory, tanks and armored vehicles had to stop their movement due to the obstacle zone installed by the enemy. Then, the armored combat earthmover, M9ACE, from the engineering battalion immediately wheeled to the scene where the tanks were trapped and fired MICLIC to sweep the minefield. Flying in a long arc, the MICLIC set off the enemy’s mines with a loud report and cleared the maneuver routes. The tanks and armored vehicles, covered by our following tanks, moved to the lead and went toward the enemy at high speed to destroy them and secure the target successfully.

This training was arranged for the 11th Army Division to confirm the combined warfighting capability with supporting assignment force, including military engineer, air defense, aviation, etc. The division has enhanced its warfighting capability while conducting the training by following the systematic road map which has been applied since before the force integration of the K2 black panther.

Captain Lee Jae-hong, a company commander, said, “I’ve gotten to know how great combat power can be demonstrated through this combined arms exercise with supporting units like army aviation. I’ve gained the confidence that I can carry out missions perfectly, whatever condition it is, and I will punish the enemy whenever it provokes us.”

By Seung-Hee, Ahn < seung@dema.mil.kr >
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