During the exercise, the allied forces formed a hypothetical special operations unit, practiced an air assault on nuclear and missile facilities, and conducted mock operations to locate and seize WMDs.

"Our companies refined their standard operating procedures for air assault operations, urban operations and combined operations with our ROK Army counterparts," said Maj. Jared Nichols, the battalion's executive officer.

"The value of training like this is key to our mission to be ready to 'Fight Tonight' if called upon."

The exercise was designed to train soldiers from 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, with an aim to identify and eliminate sites containing enemy weapons of mass destruction, the Web site said.

Soldiers of 1st Bn., 16th Inf. Rgmt. are currently on a nine-month rotational deployment to South Korea as part of the US commitment to the defense of the Asian ally against the North's aggression, it said.

The training took place before South Korean and US troops on Wednesday kicked off a two-month exercise, Foal Eagle, involving ground, air and naval forces.

The allies also plan to start a two-week computer-simulated command post exercise, called Key Resolve, on March 13. (Yonhap)