The second contingent of Ashena unit, which will protect Korean civilian aid workers in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, left for the war-torn country on Dec. 21. "Ashena" means friend or a partner in the provincial dialect.
The Korean Army held a send-off ceremony for the contingent at the International Peace Support Force base in Incheon. Military leaders, including Gen. Kim Sang-ki, Army chief of staff, and commander of Special Warfare Command, as well as some 400 family members of contingent troops too part in the ceremony.
Troops of Ashena unit's second contingent cheer for their successful operation in Afghanistan after send-off ceremony that took place at the International Peace Support Force base in Incheon on Dec. 21.
The Korean Army held a send-off ceremony for the contingent at the International Peace Support Force base in Incheon. Military leaders, including Gen. Kim Sang-ki, Army chief of staff, and commander of Special Warfare Command, as well as some 400 family members of contingent troops too part in the ceremony.
Troops of Ashena unit's second contingent cheer for their successful operation in Afghanistan after send-off ceremony that took place at the International Peace Support Force base in Incheon on Dec. 21.
"You have given a grave mission to boost Korean and its military status in the world by cooperating with foreign forces and protect Korean aid workers," said Kim in his speech. "Reestablish your resolve and be safe."
The second contingent, organized in Oct. 18, has completed basic training programs before leaving the country so that the unit can get right into its mission once reaching the province.
Soldiers of the contingent have been selected through tough screening. They are going to guard and transport Korean reconstruction team members in the province. Fifteen marines will be in charge of guarding Korean embassy in Afghanistan.
Among troops in the second contingent, eight are sons and daughters of active-duty officers and public officials. Also 18 of them have enlisted in the Army while studying abroad. Fifty-four have an experience of fulfilling oversea
Father of each Maj. Kim Gi-gwang and First Lt. Hyun Min-seok have fought in the Vietnam War. A wife of Capt. Seol Jin-wuk had worked for Zaytun unit in Iraq. The family of Maj. Jin Bo-seung is being spotlighted as Jin's father and younger brother have fought in the Vietnam War and Zaytun unit, respectively.
The case for Sergeant First Class Kim Jun-yeon is heartrending since he will take on a mission while leaving behind his pregnant wife.
"Soldiers' morale is strong as ever since they have gone through tough training programs," said Col. Kim Mu-su, commander of the contingent. "We will devote ourselves to protect Korean aid workers by conducting perfect operations and promote national status."
http://english.president.go.kr/koreain/issue/issue_view.php?board_no=E07&search_key=&search_value=&search_cate_code=&cur_page_no=1&uno=4577
*Government press release December 22.
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