Gen. Robert Abrams, then-commander of U.S. Forces Korea, discusses the COVID-19 threat during an interview with Stars and Stripes in his office as Camp Humphreys, South Korea, March 27, 2020. (Stars and Stripes)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Retired Army Gen. Robert Abrams, the former commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has joined the "green" rocket engine manufacturer Vaya Space as a senior adviser, according to a company news release Thursday.

Abrams, who commanded roughly 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, also led U.N. Command and Combined Forces Command from 2018 until his retirement in 2021. He was succeeded by Army Gen. Paul LaCamera.

Florida-based Vaya Space manufactures rocket engines from recycled plastics and uses over 20 metric tons for each launch, according to its website. The company is scheduled to launch its first Dauntless vehicle later this year, which will be powered by ignited thermoplastics and liquid oxidizer.

Abrams said he chose to serve on Vaya Space’s board “because I became convinced that their technologies coupled with their excellent leadership team can make a tremendous difference for our country,” according to the company’s release.

“Implementation of their technologies has the potential to bring a completely new and much needed capability for strategic and tactical missiles which can provide our forces decisive overmatch now and well into the future,” Abrams said in the release.

In a farewell speech before stepping down as USFK’s commander, Abrams described his role in South Korea as the “greatest honor and pinnacle” of his 39-year Army career.

“This has been the most amazing place to live and serve our nation,” he said at the time.

Abrams graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1982. He also commanded the Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., and U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.