The USFK’s M-1A1 Abrams tanks wait to be shipped to Iraq in Busan last week. /provided by USFK

Since the U.S. had notified Korea that only the 2nd Brigade would be sent to Iraq, it is expected that the redeployment of the equipment and some forces belonging to the 8th army and the infantry brigade would cause a controversy over a possible military power vacuum and the earlier withdrawal of U.S forces stationed in Korea.

Military authorities explained that although the 2nd Brigade would be deployed to Iraq, there would be no military power vacuum because mainly manpower would be sent while key equipment would remain in Korea.

A military source said Wednesday that USFK moved equipment to the port of Busan, prior to the redeployment of the 2nd Brigade and finished the shipping of the equipment on two freighters last week. The freighters are now heading for Iraq. The source said that the equipment bound for Iraq includes M-2 infantry combat vehicles called Bradleys belonging to the 2nd Brigade, M-1A1 Abrams tanks and M-109A6 self-propelled Paladin howitzers.

(From left) M-1A1 Abrams tanks, M-2 Bradley infantry combative vehicles and M-109A6 self-propelled Paladin howitzers.

The USFK has 140 M-1A1 Abrams tanks and 30 Paladin howitzers, but it has not been revealed how many tanks and howitzers would be deployed to Iraq

U.S. military newspaper Stars & Stripes reported that the USFK had conducted a transportation operation, the largest ever, to move 1,800 tanks, truck and other equipment from the bases of the 2nd Infantry Division in northern Gyeonggi Province to Busan for 18 days from July 1.

(englishnews@chosun.com )