US Army units in South Korea have demonstrated their ability to fly more than 1,300 miles (2,092 kilometers) before a simulated attack and seizure of an island during the Talon Reach exercise.
The drills were carried out by the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2CAB) under the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, the last remaining permanently forward-stationed division in the US Army tasked to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Talon Reach integrated AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopter crews alongside command elements, Forward Arming and Refueling Points, and drone teams.
2CAB Commander Col. Jason S. Raub noted that “very few units” can send and fly all their helicopters over such distances while coordinating every element in a single complex mission.
“If we are capable of this, it signals that every other combat aviation brigade is capable of this as well. I would think twice before testing America’s resolve and the capability of the US Army,” Raub said.
Talon Reach
The units spent 20 months gradually improving, moving from practice simulations to a large-scale exercise that involved simultaneous helicopter strikes, medical evacuations, and air assault operations.
Seven Forward Arming and Refueling Points were spread across South Korea, enabling aircraft to refuel and rearm without returning to fixed bases, with no reported delays.
Meanwhile, small uncrewed aerial systems were used for reconnaissance and targeting throughout the mission and later supported a long-range maritime interdiction operation at the end of the flight.
The culminating phase saw Apache choppers from the 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (4-2 Attack Battalion) conduct precision strikes following the long-range flight, while air assault units deployed troops to seize a simulated objective.
“This mission confirmed that 4-2 Attack Battalion is ready to execute anywhere, anytime. We can extend combat power and mass forces wherever they are needed,” said Lt. Col. William Carrion.
