Army Gen. Leon LaPorte, commander of US Forces Korea, told reporters that there has been a “noticeable reduction” in DMZ incidents, but he stopped short of saying that the North Koreans have reduced their forces along the highly fortified zone. Under the Pentagon’s restructuring plans for South Korea, LaPorte noted that US troop strength will drop below 30,000 by the end of the year.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.