Units of the US Army stationed in South Korea demonstrated long-range operational capability by flying over 1,300 miles ahead of a simulated island seizure during the Talon Reach exercise. The operation was led by the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade under the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, the only permanently forward-deployed US Army division on the Korean Peninsula.
The exercise integrated AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, supported by command units, Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs), and drone teams. According to brigade leadership, few units are capable of coordinating such a long-distance, multi-element mission in a single operation.
Over 20 months, the brigade progressed from simulations to a full-scale exercise involving synchronized air assaults, medical evacuations, and strike missions. Seven FARPs positioned across the country enabled continuous refueling and rearming without returning to base, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Uncrewed aerial systems provided reconnaissance and targeting support throughout the mission, culminating in a maritime interdiction scenario. In the final phase, Apache helicopters conducted precision strikes while air assault forces deployed troops to capture a simulated objective.
