Camp Humphreys
| U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys | |
|---|---|
 We are the Army's Home |
|
| Active | 1950–present |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Camp Humphreys |
| Part of | Department of Defense |
| Motto | Sustain, Support, Defend |
| Colors | Red, Green, Black & Gold |
| Commanders | |
| Garrison Commander | COL Joseph P. Moore |
| Deputy to the Commander | Mr. David W. Frodsham |
| Command Sergeant Major | CSM Spencer L. Gray |
Coordinates: 36°58′N 127°02′E / 36.967°N 127.033°E
Camp Humphreys, or United States Army Garrison-Humphreys (USAG-H), is a medium-sized United States Army garrison located near Anjeong-ri and Pyeongtaek metropolitan areas in the Republic of Korea.[1] Camp Humphreys is home to Desiderio Army Airfield, the busiest U.S. Army air field in Asia. In addition to the airfield, there are several U.S. Army direct support, transportation, and tactical units located there, including the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
In 2004, an agreement was reached between the United States and Republic of Korea governments to move all U.S. forces to garrisons south of the Han River and relocate the United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command Headquarters to Camp Humphreys.[2] Those movements are expected to be completed by 2016 and will transform Camp Humphreys into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia. [3] Under that plan, the 28,500 U.S. troop presence in South Korea will be consolidated by 2016 and United States Forces Korea will move from Seoul to Camp Humphreys.[4][5]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The town of Anjung-ri is located adjacent to the Camp Humphreys main gate. Smaller farming villages are located along the perimeter.[6]
The installation covers an area of 1,210 acres. As part of the Yongsan Relocation Plan, that number will grow by 2,328 acres to 3,538 acres.
The immediate area around Camp Humphreys is mostly agricultural and consists mainly of rice fields. There are some rolling hills in the vicinity, but for the most part the elevations are less than 150 feet. There is a small mountain range about seven miles south of Camp Humphreys, with peaks reaching 958 feet in elevation. Larger mountains are located to the northeast, east, and southwest, all within 20 miles with peaks reaching to 2,293 feet in elevation to the south and 1,000 feet in elevation to the southeast.Urban areas are situated mostly to the northeast of the airfield. Seoul is located approximately 55 miles northeast.
The Ansong River flows from the east to west toward the West Sea and passes three miles northwest of the airfield. About 12 miles west of Camp Humphreys, the river widens and empties into the Asan Bay, near Koon-ni Range.
The numerous areas of water around Camp Humphreys has an effect on the weather. The abundant moisture is responsible for most of the fog and stratus which occurs in the area. This is especially true from the spring through fall.
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U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys.
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2011 Korea-America Friendship Festival in Anjung-ri.
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Construction of three family housing towers on Camp Humphreys.
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Map of Pyeongtaek showing location of Camp Humphreys.
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2011 construction on Camp Humphreys.
[edit] Department of Defense Dependent Schools
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is a civilian agency of the United States Department of Defense that manages all schools for military children and teenagers, as well as foreign service children and teenagers, in the United States and also overseas at American military bases worldwide.[7]
DoDEA currently manages both an elementary and middle school on Camp Humphreys, while high school students are bussed to a nearby school on Osan Airbase. [8]
In 2011, construction began on a new Camp Humphreys for a new elementary and high school. Upon completion, the new schools and adjacent athletic fields will accommodate 1,700 students. The elementary school will hold 850 students and the high school will hold 950. The elementary school will hold kindergarten through fifth-grade classes and the high school will hold sixth through 12th grades until a new middle school opens the following year. [4]
[edit] History
The history of Camp Humphreys dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century when, in 1919 the Japanese military built the Pyeongtaek Airfield. Later, during the Korean War, Pyeongtaek Airfield was named K-6 after being repaired and enhanced by the U.S. Air Force to accommodate a Marine Air Group and the 614th Tactical Control Group. [9]
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Wrecked North Korean tank on bridge near Pyeongtaek during the Korean War.
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Marines at K-6 Air Base pose for a photo during the Korean War.
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VMA-251 Thunderbolts at Pyongtaek airfield (K-6), South Korea, in 1953/54.
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A U.S. Marine Corps Douglas AD-2 Skyraider during the Korean War.
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US Army OV-1D Mohawk taken at Camp Humphreys.
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US Army OV-1D Mohawk's last flight at Camp Humphreys.
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A C-130 Hercules aircraft lands at the Camp Humphreys airfield.
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UH-1N Iroquois (Huey) utility helicopter (right) takes off from the flight line at Camp Humphreys.
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AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters flying at Camp Humphreys.
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A CH-47 Chinook helicopter flys at Camp Humphreys.
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2011 mass casualty exercise at Camp Humphreys.
In 1962 it was renamed Camp Humphreys in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin K. Humphreys, a pilot assigned to the 4th Transportation Company, who died in a helicopter accident. [10]
In 1964 Humphreys District command (later re-designated as the 23rd Direct Support Group) was activated as a separate installation command of the Eighth U.S. Army providing all direct support, supply and maintenance, storage of all conventional ammunition in Korea, Adjutant General publications and training aides and the Eighth U.S. Army Milk Plant. [11]
In 1974 with the activation of the 19th Support Brigade, Camp Humphreys was redesignated as U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Humphreys. USAG-Camp Humphreys was still responsible for all affairs affecting personnel stationed at Camp Humphreys, but the 19th Support Command was responsible for all support activities vital to the Eighth U.S. Army and its subordinate units. Those units formerly reporting to the 23rd Direct Support Group reported to the 19th Support Command in Daegu. Only the basic functions remained with USAG Camp Humphreys. [11]
Later, the 23rd Direct Support Group and 19th Support were renamed 23rd Support Group and 19th Theater Army Area Command. On June 17, 1996 the United States Army Support Activity Area III (USASA Area III) was established and made responsible for the peacetime support mission for Camp Humphreys, Camp Long, Camp Eagle and U.S. Army units assigned to Suwon Airbase. [11]
On June 1, 2005, the U.S. Army announced that Camps Eagle and Long would close. Both camps were then later closed on June 4, 2010, consolidating installation support activities on Camp Humphreys.[11]
Under a 2004 land-swap pact, the U.S. promised to gradually return a combined 170 square kilometers of land housing 42 military bases and related facilities to the Republic of Korea and move U.S. military forces from garrisons in and north of Seoul to Camp Humphreys.[4]
With the creation of the Installation Management Command on October 24, 2006, U.S. Army Support Activity Area III was redesignated as U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and Area III on March 15, 2007.[11]
On November 13, 2007, United States Forces Korea and Republic of Korea officials conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Camp Humphreys. [3] Under that plan, the 28,500 U.S. troop presence in South Korea will be consolidated into two regional hubs in Pyeongtaek and Daegu by 2016.[5]
On 2 September 2011, U.S. and Korean officials participated in a joint groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for an elementary to accommodate 850 students and high school to accommodate 950 students on Camp Humphreys.[12]
[edit] Tenant Units
Camp Humphreys is home to the 2nd Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade ("Talon Brigade"), consisting of the following subordinate units:
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) – "Warrior Knights"
- 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (Assault) (UH −60) – "Wild Card"
- 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (General Support) – "Nightmare" (CH-47D, UH-60)
- 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (Reconnaissance & Attack) (AH-64D) – "Death Dealer"
- 164th Air Traffic Services Group
- 602nd Support Battalion (Aviation) – "Warhorse"
The following units are also stationed at Camp Humphreys:
- 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
- 25th Transportation Battalion
- 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion
- 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion
- 501st Signal Company
- 52nd Ordnance Company
- 557th Military Police Company
- 58th Aviation Regiment (Airfield Operations)
- Company A, 304th Integrated Signal Battalion
- Detachment B, 176th Financial Management Company
Camp Humphreys also houses the Eighth United States Army military confinement facility, which is used to detain soldiers sentenced for no more than a year of confinement or until they are transferred to a military prison facility in the United States.
[edit] Exchange (AAFES)
Camp Humphreys is home to a 72,000 square foot concession mall, with laundry and dry Cleaning services, an optical shop, barber shop, florist, embroidery, giftware vendors and more. The AAFES food court offers Popeye’s Chicken, Taco Bell, Anthony’s Pizza, Subway and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream. Anthony’s Pizza and Popeye’s also offer daily delivery service.[13]
There are also three Shoppettes on Camp Humphreys. The Zoeckler Station shoppette is located near the main gate by the KATUSA snack bar and Pizza Hut . Pizza Hut offers delivery service daily for on-post residents. Also located near this facility, across from the walk-thru gate, is laundry/dry cleaning service and a AAFES barber shop. The 3rd MI shoppette is located in the same building as Charley’s Steakery, which serves a selection of sub sandwiches.[13]
The post movie theater seats more than 550 customers and offers the latest movies in digital sound. The theater was recognized in 2011 as the "Best in the Army."
A 24 hour laundromat is located adjacent to the walk-thru gate to Camp Humphreys.[13]
Korea is a ration control assignment. Upon arrival, military personnel, family members and civilian employee need to get a ration control card from their local Pass and ID Office prior to shopping in an AAFES facility. Department of Defense identification cards and ration control cards are always necessary to enter all AAFES facilities in the Republic of Korea.[13]
[edit] Army Health Clinic
The Camp Humphreys Army Health Clinic provides outpatient primary care services to active duty service members and their families living in the Pyongtaek area. Patients must be enrolled in the clinic via TRICARE and assigned a primary care provider prior to scheduling appointments. [14]
Services provided by the clinic include family medicine, pediatrics, physical therapy, behavioral health, occupational health and optometry. The TRICARE office arranges for specialty referrals to host-nation partner hospitals, or to Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital on Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. The clinic nurse case manager also coordinates care for inpatients who are admitted to host nation partner hospitals.
The Camp Humphreys Army Health Clinic does not provide emergency medicine services, and patients with real or potential emergencies are encouraged to proceed directly to the closest off-post hospital emergency department. Informational cards with emergency department locations, phone numbers, and assistance numbers, are available inside the clinic, and also can be accessed on the garrison’s official website. [14]
On occasion, the clinic is able to provide "space-available" care to retirees and their family members, DA civilian employees, DODDS employees, and contractors. Patients in these categories who have chronic medical conditions should establish regular care with a primary care physician, and the clinic TRICARE office can assist those patients in establishing care in one of the clinic’s partnered international clinics.[14]
[edit] 2005 Protests
Following a series of large protests against the U.S. and Republic of Korea governments' plan to expand Camp Humphreys make it the main base for most U.S. troops in South Korea., residents of Daechuri and other small villages near Pyeongtaek agreed to a government settlement to leave their homes in 2006 and allow for the base expansion. [15][16] Compensation for the land averaged 600 million won (about 600,000 USD) per resident.[17]
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Protestors near Pyeongtaek
[edit] External links
- Official USAG Humphreys Website
- Official Photo Archive
- Official Facebook Fan Page
- Official Video Channel
- United States Forces Korea – Official Website
- Camp Humphreys Commissary
- Anjeong-ri Community Website
- Pan-S.Korea solution committee against US base extension in Pyeongtaek
[edit] References
- ^ U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official Website
- ^ "Background Note: South Korea". U.S Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2800.htm. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Camp Humphreys Groundbreaking Ceremony Speech". United States Forces Korea. http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/speech.camp.humphreys.groundbreaking.ceremony.327. Retrieved November 13, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Yongsan Garrison to Be Relocated by 2014". Korea Times. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/01/116_37344.html. Retrieved July 11, 2006.
- ^ a b "Yongsan relocation plan moving forward". Stars and Stripes Newspaper. http://www.stripes.com/news/yongsan-relocation-plan-moving-forward-1.35625. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/camp-humphreys.htm
- ^ link to List of DoEA school districts worldwide
- ^ "Ground broken for 2 new schools for military families in Korea". U.S. Army. http://www.army.mil/article/65005/. Retrieved September 6,.
- ^ history U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official History
- ^ history U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official History
- ^ a b c d e U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official History
- ^ "Ground broken for two DODEA schools key to S. Korea relocation plan". Stars and Stripes Newspaper. http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/korea/ground-broken-for-two-dodea-schools-key-to-s-korea-relocation-plan-1.153933. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "S. Exchange (AAFES)". USAG-Humphreys. http://humphreys.korea.army.mil/Exchange. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Army Health Clinic". U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. http://humphreys.korea.army.mil/MHC. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "Ceremonies honor residents driven from lands slated for Humphreys expansion". Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/news/ceremonies-honor-residents-driven-from-lands-slated-for-humphreys-expansion-1.62541. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- ^ "S. Koreans rally at Camp Humphreys fence to protest U.S. presence". Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/news/s-koreans-rally-at-camp-humphreys-fence-to-protest-u-s-presence-1.36754. Retrieved August 10, 2005.
- ^ "Daechuri issue sees no resolve". The Hankyoreh. http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/123428.html. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
