ANKARA

South Korea and the US forces practiced installing a deployable bridge at a major US base in South Korea to strengthen joint capabilities in maintaining supply lines during wartime, Yonhap news reported on Wednesday, quoting officials.

The five-day exercise began on Monday at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kms south of Seoul. Some 50 personnel from the South Korean Army's 1117th Engineer Corps and the 11th Engineer Battalion of the US 2nd Infantry Division took part in the drills.

The troops focused on setting up the US military's Line of Communication Bridge, which allows troops and equipment to cross various terrains over distances of up to 300 meters.

Joint training in bridge deployment — often over rivers — is a regular practice for forces of the two countries due to South Korea’s terrain, which includes more than 3,800 rivers and streams.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid