The U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division is fusing with its South Korean allies in an unprecedented move.

A combined division stationed in South Korea will include roughly 30 officers from the Republic of Korea Army. The U.S. military may even opt to include noncommissioned officers in its headquarters.

“To the best of our knowledge, historically, we don’t know where it’s been done where you have brigades and staff headquarters fully integrated,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, Army Times reported Wednesday.

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to enhance our readiness and work through our interoperability challenges. It really takes the strength of the U.S. Army and our forces, and the strengths of the ROK military, and together you have a much more powerful organization,” he said.

The general added that the change in the 60-plus year relationship between the two forces means they will “literally operate as one unit, with one unified effort,” Army Times reported.

Training for the Korean officers — mostly majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels — will begin next week, the newspaper reported.

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