Seoul: The U.S. military stationed in South Korea has staged live-fire drills involving a remote weapon station designed to be mounted on armored vehicles, according to the U.S. Eighth Army on Thursday. The training was aimed at enhancing operational readiness and familiarizing troops with advanced weapon systems.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the drills, which took place on January 28-29, focused on assembling, preparing, and operating the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). This remote weapon system is designed to protect the gunner by allowing operation from inside the armored vehicle.

The exercise spanned two days and included live firing with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M240 machine gun. The intent was to provide troops with hands-on experience and improve their proficiency with these weapon systems.

Capt. Noah Klein, commander of the 84th Ordinance Company, emphasized the advantages of the CROWS, stating, "It allows us to employ our machine guns from the safety of the cockpit of the vehicle and not have to expose ourselves." The drills are part of ongoing efforts to maintain security and readiness in the region.