UPDATE - US Army deactivates reconnaissance squadron in South Korea amid speculation of troop drawdown: Report

Squadron ceased operations last month, according to report by Congressional Research Service

UPDATE WITH SOUTH KOREA DEFENSE MINISTER COMMENTS

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — A US Army squadron tasked with a reconnaissance mission in South Korea was deactivated last month, fueling speculation over a possible adjustment of Washington’s force posture on the Korean Peninsula, local media reported Friday.

According to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (5-17 ACS) at Camp Humphreys, a key US base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, ceased operations on Dec. 15, according to Yonhap News Agency.

It had supported the US Army’s 2nd Infantry Division since May 2022.

The report comes amid concerns that US President Donald Trump’s administration could consider reducing the 28,500 US Forces Korea (USFK) troops to better align resources for countering China in the region, according to the report.

The 5-17 ACS was known to include hundreds of personnel and key aviation and reconnaissance assets, including AH-64E Apache helicopters and RQ-7B Shadow drones.

It remains unclear whether the unit’s personnel and equipment will be withdrawn or replaced by another formation.

There was no immediate reaction from the US Army to the latest report.

However, South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the deactivation of a US Army squadron is part of a broader US military transformation, not a sign of an American troop drawdown.

There seem to be many changes underway within the US Army as part of a reform drive, which affect not only the respective unit, Ahn said, adding: "An array of prior consultations are mandated in regards to USFK (issues), so this seems to be an issue of a different area."

He added he would discuss this issue with US military officials during his visit to Camp Humphreys, a key US military base in South Korea, next week.

South Korea is one of the US’s oldest and closest allies, hosting around 28,500 American soldiers on the Korean Peninsula.

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