Camp Humphreys

Camp Humphreys (캠프 험프리스), also known as United States Army Garrison-Humphreys (USAG-H), is a medium-sized United States Army garrison located near Anjeong-ri and Pyeongtaek metropolitan areas in South Korea. 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 South Korean 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. Those movements are expected to be completed by 2016 and will transform Camp Humphreys into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia. 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.

Geography


The town of Anjung-ri is located adjacent to the Camp Humphreys main gate. Smaller farming villages are located along the perimeter.

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.

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 U.S. Marine Air Group and the 614th Tactical Control Group.

1960s
In 1962, the base 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.

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.

1970s
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.

1990s
Later, the 23rd Direct Support Group and 19th Support were renamed 23rd Support Group and 19th Theater Army Area Command. On 17 June 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.

2000s
On 1 June 2005, the U.S. Army announced that Camps Eagle and Long would close. Both camps were then later closed on 4 June 2010, consolidating installation support activities on Camp Humphreys.

2005 protests
Following a series of large protests against the South Korean and American governments' plan to expand Camp Humphreys to 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. Compensation for the land averaged 600 million won (about 600,000 USD) per resident.

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 South Korea and move U.S. military forces from garrisons in and north of Seoul to Camp Humphreys.

With the creation of the Installation Management Command on 24 October 2006, U.S. Army Support Activity Area III was redesignated as U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and Area III on 15 March 2007.

On 13 November 2007, USFK and South Korean officials conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Camp Humphreys. 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.

2010s
On 2 September 2011, U.S. and South Korean officials participated in a joint groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for an elementary school to accommodate 850 students and high school to accommodate 950 students on Camp Humphreys.

Occupants
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)
 * 304th Expeditionary 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.

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.

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.

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.

Post 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.

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.

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.

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 South Korea.

Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation office on Humphreys is part of a vast network of an Army-wide support and leisure services that aims to enhance the lives of Soldiers, civilians, Families, and military retirees.

Its goals include increasing Soldier and family resiliency, restoring balance, and enhancing recruitment, readiness, and retention.

The Humphreys DFMWR mission helps to support Army Force Generation by helping to ensure Soldiers and Families are taken care at a level commensurate with their sacrifice and service.

Army Community Service oversees several programs designed to strengthen and support Soldiers and Families. These include: Army Volunteer Corps, Army Family Action Plan, Army Family Team Building, deployment readiness, employment readiness, the Exceptional Family Member Program, a family advocacy program, financial readiness, relocation readiness, and information referral and outreach.

The Auto Skills Center has four mechanics on staff to work on all makes and models of vehicles. The center also allows patrons to rent bays and equipment to work on their automobiles. The center includes a full range of tools and power equipment that can fix or maintain most vehicle issues. Center personnel can also do safety inspections.

The Strike Zone has 16 bowling lanes. There is a $1 per game special every Saturday, Sunday and U.S. holidays. Mondays are three games for the price of two, while there are unlimited games on Tuesdays for $10. Fridays and Saturdays feature cosmic bowling after the completion of league play.

The Child Development Center offers full-day, part-day, and hourly care for children six weeks to five years old. The CDC is certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children. The $8 million facility opened in 2008 and aims to provide children a safe place to learn and play.

The Community Activity Center hosts many of the key events on posts. There is also a music room, arts and crafts classes, an indoor pool, table tennis, a pool room, ski tours, and Wii. A shuttle bus to Incheon airport departs and returns to the center daily.

The Family Readiness Center oversees the Women Infants and Children program on post as well as Army Emergency Relief. It also hosts classes on employment and financial readiness. Another key program is Army Strong, which helps spouses adapt and thrive in a military environment. It starts with basic ideas such as military acronyms and rank structure, then progresses to more difficult topics such as how to handle a deployment. In the final stage, participants learn how to become leaders and are trained in conflict resolution and management techniques.

The Super Gym is the largest gymnasium in the Army. There is nautilus equipment, treadmills, weight rooms, basketball courts, and a swimming pool. There are also two conference rooms for meetings and dignitary receptions. Besides the Super Gym, Camp Humphreys also has the Youth Gym, MP Hill Gym and Zoeckler Gym. These feature basketball courts, weightlifting equipment, and cardio rooms.

There is also an extensive intramural sports program, with leagues in flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball. Post-level men’s and women’s teams are offered in flag football, basketball, rugby and softball. Triathlons are offered twice a year and power lifting, wrestling, racquetball, tennis, swimming and Tae kwon do tournaments are held on a semi-annual or quarterly basis. Community runs, are offered throughout the year and Camp Humphreys hosts one of the Official Army 10-Miler Shadow Races in October. There is also a Polar Bear swim at the Splish & Splash Water Park each winter. Humphreys is also home to the Roadrunners youth running club. The club is headed by Dave Elger, who holds the Guinness World Record for longest time between sub-three hour marathons. He is also part of a tiny handful of runners who have logged sub-three hour marathons in five decades.

Swimming facilities include indoor 25-meter pools at the Super Gym and the Community Activity Center, plus the Water Park, which features a 50-meter pool, a children’s pool, two water slides, diving boards, a children’s water fort, a pavilion, a snack bar and large deck area. The water park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.

The Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Duke Memorial Library offers Internet access, DVD loans, and books. There are also children’s reading programs. The library features an extensive collection of Korean history and military books and each month, it highlights a different topic, with books on the subject prominently displayed.

The Outdoor Recreation program offers parks and pavilion reservations, laser tag, remote control car racing, paintball, garden plots, equipment rentals, events and tours. Some of the destinations include the Seoul Zoo, the COEX Mall Aquarium, Asan Spavis Spa, Sapgyo Lake, and Songmi Mountain. Popular seasonal services include ski rental equipment, ski trips and maintenance of personal ski equipment during the winter. There is also hiking, camping and various family and unit trips during the summer.

The Youth Center sponsors the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club and 4-H. There is a game room and the center is designed to give children a safe place to hang out. Youth Sports programs are offered in basketball, baseball, soccer, softball and football. Special clinics and competitions are held throughout the year, along with a youth running club and a youth triathlon. Parent Central is where parents register their children so the children can use services such as the Child Development Center, the teen center, and participate in sports. Military, civilian, and contractors are eligible to use the service.

Alaska Mining Company is a restaurant that serves a variety of foods. AMC is known for its Friday night specials, which alternate between seafood, Mexican, prime rib, and steaks. There are also Mongolian barbecue Thursdays and Pasta Night Wednesdays. There is also a daily salad and soup bar. Another restaurant, Tommy D’s, offers Texas Hold ‘em poker tournaments and also hosts events such as mother/daughter teas. It features a Korean buffet lunch and a bar. The Gateway Game Room has a bar, slot machine and, every other weekend, a live band.

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.

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.

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.

In popular culture

 * Camp Humphreys is featured in the 2013 film World War Z.