The U.S. Eighth Army in South Korea says it will dispatch some 500 troops to the Balikatan 2011 drills to be held in the Philippines from April fifth to the 15th.

This is the first time that the U.S. Forces in South Korea are dispatching a military unit to overseas drills, aside from those in Japan. A unit in the Second Intantry Division will participate.

This dispatch by the USFK is notable as it indicates the U.S. is in full swing to send USFK troops overseas to strengthen its strategic flexibility.

During these drills, the U.S. and the Philippines armies will conduct humanitarian rescue drills and mobilization exercises to prepare for natural disasters and maintain public safety.

A USFK official said that the dispatched soldiers will be light infantry troops, and that they will return to Korea after the drills are completed.