Defence Team members in South Korea: ULCHI FREEDOM SHIELD 25

October 17, 2025 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 1:45

By: Major Alexia Croizer, United Nations Command

Twelve members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and two Department of National Defence (DND) policy advisors joined the thirteen CAF members of the Canadian Contingent United Nations Command (CCUNC) permanently posted to the United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea for a two-week multinational exercise ULCHI FREEDOM SHIELD 25 (UFS25) in August.

UFS25 is a large-scale combined, joint, all-domain exercise integrating ground, air, naval, space, cyber, and information elements in a dynamic defensive scenario. Key players include the Republic of Korea-United States (ROK-U.S.), alliance forces, UNC — augmented by military and civilian personnel from the eighteen UNC Member States — and ROK governmental agencies, each working to restore stability in case of conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

During the exercise, the UNC focused on coordinating international support and maintaining legitimacy while facilitating the provision of member state forces, material, capabilities and effects to defend the ROK. This included Non-Combatant Evacuations (NEO); logistical movement of personnel and materiel; deployment of military assets and specialized capabilities; provision of humanitarian assistance; intelligence and signals support; legal and policy advice, and more.

Defence Team members were placed in every division, directorate and specialist staff across the UNC, making positive contributions in each position, offering fresh perspectives to UNC staff, and building relationships between nations — outcomes highlighted by UNC Deputy Commander, Canadian Lieutenant General Derek Macaulay, in his UFS25 closing remarks.

While participants put their skills, knowledge, and experience to the test, UFS25 was not without challenges. They had to quickly grasp the complex security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the UNC’s multi-layered role in maintaining stability before the exercise began. However, participants valued the experience:

“UFS25 was an extremely rewarding professional experience for me, as I was exposed for the first time to a multinational joint strategic headquarters. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to gain insight on the Republic of Korea and the greater Asia-Pacific geopolitical context,” said Major Vincent Désilets (3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment).

Others noted the challenges helped them find new approaches to their tasks and better understand the UNC’s role in enforcing the 1953 Armistice on the Korean Peninsula.

The CCUNC thanks the UFS25 augmentees and looks forward to seeing more Canadian faces at FREEDOM SHIELD 2026!