'Sea Dragon' frogmen redeployment won't affect U.S. training: Minister

Taipei, Oct. 7 (CNA) Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) on Tuesday confirmed the redeployment of the Army's 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion from Kinmen to Penghu, citing "combat needs," and said training provided by U.S. personnel will continue as planned.

The Chinese-language United Daily News reported Tuesday that the battalion, commonly known as the "Sea Dragon frogmen," has been reassigned to Penghu, an outlying county in the Taiwan Strait.

The report also said that U.S. personnel involved in the battalion's training will continue in Penghu.

Each of the battalion's 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies will keep around a platoon's worth of soldiers stationed in their original areas of responsibility in Kinmen and Matsu islands, according to the report.

Asked about the move, Koo told reporters that the adjustment was made in line with combat needs and would strengthen Taiwan's overall defense posture, without elaborating.

Regarding the U.S. personnel providing training for the battalion, Koo said military exchanges between Taiwan and the United States will proceed as planned, based on their shared interest in maintaining regional peace and stability.

The battalion, which belongs to the Army, is one of Taiwan's elite amphibious reconnaissance units. It is often compared with the Marine Corps' Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit, also known for deploying frogmen.