UK Deputy Chief of Defence staff, Lt Gen Gordon Messenger, visits South Korea
Lt Gen Gordon Messenger in South Korea to observe Exercise Key Resolve & support UNC partners
Lt Gen Gordon Messenger arrived on 15 March in the Republic of Korea (ROK). During his three day programme he will meet senior ROK and US military officers, observe Exercise Key Resolve (Ex KR) and meet UK servicemen participating in the exercise.
On arrival in South Korea, Lt Gen Gordon Messenger said:
I am pleased to be in South Korea to demonstrate the UK’s continuing support for the RoK and partners in the United Nations Command. This year sees our largest ever participation in Exercise Key Resolve showing our commitment to helping maintain a safe, secure and prosperous Korean Peninsula.
56 servicemen from the British Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force are taking part in Ex KR. The team are working in a range of roles such as logistics, engineering and communications. This includes the Royal Tank Regiment whose predecessors fought during the Korean War. They have taken the opportunity whilst in ROK to visit a number of former battlefields and study the lessons from the Korean War.
Notes to editors
Lt Gen Gordon Messenger’s programme will involve briefings about the exercise; visits to key command posts in order to meet senior ROK and US officers; discussions with UK servicemen including those from the Royal Tank Regiment and a visit to the De-militarised Zone.
Lt Gen Messenger will shortly assume the role of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, the second most senior UK’s Armed Forces appointment.
Key Resolve is an annual defensive exercise designed to defend the ROK and enhance readiness. It provides a unique opportunity for members of the United Nations Command to train together. The exercise involves 10,000 ROK and 7,700 US service personnel as well as those from Australia, Canada and France. The exercise highlights the long and enduring role of the partnership and friendship between these countries.