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| General Vincent K. Brooks (Image: Wikipedia) |
Jen Judson
WASHINGTON — The next commander of US forces in South Korea is concerned the readiness of reinforcements slated to fall in on rotations in the country could be slipping as North Korea grows more provocative.
“I have concerns that there is a shallowing of the depth of the forces that are behind to reinforce, whether they are in a lower state of readiness that would require more time or if they are not able to respond at all due to other crises in the world,” Gen. Vincent Brooks, who is the current commander of US Army Pacific, said during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
Sequestration and the prospect that the funding cuts will continue in future fiscal years is much to blame for the falling readiness levels, Brooks explained.
US Forces in Korea are kept in the highest state of readiness to augment the South Korean military, given the country’s bellicose neighbor to the north. Brooks explained the forces in Korea have to be ready to “fight tonight.”
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