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U.S. paratrooper assigned to Special Operations Command Korea prepares to land during a ROK-U.S. Combined Friendship Jump with ROK Special Warfare Command South Korea. The purpose of training was to enhance combined airborne operations capabilities and strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance. (U.S. Army photo by CPL Cheon, Donghyeok)

Green Berets assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (A) provides security with their Republic of Korea counterparts as part of a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force during Foal Eagle. Foal Eagle is a series of annual training events that are defense-oriented and designed to increase readiness to defend the ROK, protect the region, and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula. (US Army Photo by Sgt. Codie Mendenhall)

(Airborne) Public Affairs) Navy SEALS pull security before boarding an aircraft as part of a training exercise during Exercise Foal Eagle at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Foal Eagle, like all Combined Forces Command (CFC) exercises, is defense-oriented and designed to enhance readiness and the ability to respond to any potential contingency that could arise (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Sword, 1st Special Forces Group)

Special Operators from the Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command prepare for static line drops from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron during a combined airborne operation at Daegu Air Base, ROK. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)

Rangers from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment conduct Full Mission Profile (FMP) Training in South Korea during an iteration of Foal Eagle Exercise. Foal Eagle is an annual exercise that enhances the combat readiness posture of the ROK-U.S. Alliance through combined and joint training at multiple echelons. (Photos by SPC Codie Mendenhall/Released)

A U.S. paratrooper assigned to Special Operations Command Korea recovers his parachute after landing during combined airborne operations on Kunsan Air Force Base at Gunsan, South Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Gabriella Mckinney)

Service members assigned to Special Operations Command Korea conducted refresher training on their assigned weapon systems in order to hone their individual “Warrior Skills.” The training included familiarization drills on the M9 pistol, M4 carbine assault rifle and medical procedures. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Gabriella Mckinney)

Service members from Special Operations Command Korea and Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command conduct weapons training April 10, 2017. Combined training engagements such as this demonstrate the strength of the ROK-US alliance and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the peninsula. (photo taken by SOCKOR Public Affairs)

A paratrooper assigned to Special Operations Command Korea exits a CH-47 Chinook during Static Line Operations at a Drop Zone in Maesan Ri, South Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Ma. Christina Wright)

MISSION

SOCKOR plans and conducts Special Operations in support of the Commander of United States Forces/United Nations Commander/Combined Forces Commander in armistice, crisis and war. SOCKOR is a functional component command of United States Forces Korea, tasked to plan and conduct Special Operations in the Korean theater of operations.

COMMAND MISSION

Since its inception, SOCKOR continues to be the only theater SOC in which U.S. and host nation SOF are institutionally organized for combined operations. SOCKOR and Republic of Korea (ROK) Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) regularly train in their combined roles, while SOCKOR’s Special Forces Detachment acts as the liaison between ROK Special Forces and the U.S. Special Forces.

AREA OF FOCUS

In peacetime, SOCKOR is responsible for the planning, training, and execution of all U.S. SOF activities in Korea. The SOCKOR Commander serves as senior advisor to COMUSFK regarding all U.S. SOF issues. If the armistice fails, SOCKOR and ROK SWC will combine to establish the Combined Special Operations Component Command Korea under the Combined Forces Command. Under the current plan, when CSOCC-K, the SOCKOR Commander becomes the CSOCC-K Deputy Commander. SOCKOR is then designated as the United Nations Command Special Operations Component under the United Nations Command, with the SOCKOR Commander as the Special Operations Component Commander.

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