US Army squadron deactivation South Korea: Pentagon Refutes Report Amid Troop Cut Fears

One report says they've ceased operations, while the military claims nothing's decided. US Forces Korea is at the center of a confusing narrative that might signal a massive shift in Pacific defense strategy.

Conflicting Reports on US Army squadron deactivation South Korea

According to Yonhap News Agency, a Pentagon official stated on Friday, January 2, that no final decision has been made regarding the fate of the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (5-17 ACS). This directly contradicts a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, which claimed the unit at Camp Humphreys ended its operations on December 15.

The 5-17 ACS isn't just any unit; it's a critical asset equipped with AH-64E Apache helicopters and RQ-7B Shadow drones. Since May 2022, it's supported the 2nd Infantry Division near the DMZ, serving as the eyes and ears of the U.S. ground presence some 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

Trump's Military Transformation and the China Factor

Speculation is mounting that President Donald Trump's administration is looking to trim the 28,500-strong force in South Korea. The goal is reportedly to transform the military structure to better counter an assertive China. While the Pentagon maintains they don't comment on "pre-decisional force structure matters," the discrepancy suggests a possible disconnect between legislative records and active military planning.