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| Apache helicopters are parked at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Yonhap |
By Kang Seung-woo
Speculation is growing that U.S. Apache helicopters may return to the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, for live-fire exercises amid persisting complaints from nearby residents over noise and other inconveniences due to the drills.
According to the Korean military, Wednesday, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) plans to conduct the training from July 18 to 29 during the day and night.
The exercises will be carried out in order to measure the intensity of noise from live-fire drills, based on a recently enacted law aimed at compensating local residents suffering from noise caused by military airports and shooting ranges. Under the law, people residing near military airports and ranges are entitled to receive up to 60,000 won ($45) per person per month without filing a lawsuit.
The USFK has not conducted live-fire drills since July 2018 ostensibly due to stray round incidents, but taking a closer look, the noise issue is the main reason for the suspension of the exercises, according to military sources.
In accordance with the law, the authorities will carry out noise measurement, and the USFK and Pocheon City will use the results to discuss the standard of compensation.
"The planned live-fire drills are linked to the compensation law rather than the U.S. seeking to resume the training there," a military officer said on condition of anonymity.
Due to pretests from residents near the Rodriguez range, the USFK has moved to a new range in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, but residents there are also complaining of the noise issue, thereby forcing U.S. troops to suspend live-fire training.
The firing range issue has been troubling the USFK as it faces noise complaints and safety concerns from Pocheon residents.
In that respect, former USFK commander General Robert Abrams expressed concerns that live-fire drills were being disrupted by the shutdown of firing ranges here, thereby forcing USFK troops to go abroad for live-fire training.
Although the drills are part of the relevant law, many believe that it is a process before the USFK resumes live-fire exercises there.
"The planned firing training will be conducted due to the law, but the USFK may want to resume its exercises there after settling the issue with Pocheon residents," another military officer said.
In addition, the new Korean government is stressing its alliance with the United States, raising expectations that the live-fire exercises will resume in Pocheon.
The USFK launched a permanent Apache helicopter unit in May, reportedly comprised of 24 of the latest Apache helicopters.
However, Pocheon residents are still opposed to the plan.
According to a media report, an official of Pocheon City said the planned drills did not have to do with the USFK's future live-fire drills and will be done in relation to the compensation law.
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