- Not to be confused with Camp A. A. Humphreys in Virginia, now known as Fort Belvoir.
Camp Humphreys (Korean: ìº í"„ í—˜í"„리스), also known as United States Army Garrison-Humphreys (USAG-H), is a 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 airfield in Asia, with a 8,124-foot runway. In addition to the airfield, there are several U.S. Army direct support, transportation, and tactical units located there, including the Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division. The garrison has an area of 3,454 acres and cost US$11 billion. Camp Humphreys is the US’ largest overseas military base, housing some 500 buildings and amenities.
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 Yongsan Garrison in Seoul to Camp Humphreys. Camp Humphreys is 40 miles south of the former base in Seoul and about 60 miles from the Demilitarized Zone that divides North and South Korea. That puts the base about twice as far from North Korea as its predecessor, one of the main reasons for the move.
Geography
The town of Anjeong-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 6th 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.
On 26 August 2013, Camp Humphreys opened a new elementary school. The new elementary school will hold kindergarten through fifth-grade classes for a total enrollment capacity of 875 students.
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) â€" "Warrior Knights"
- 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (Assault) (UHâˆ'60L) â€" "Wild Card" (K-16, SEOUL AB)
- 3rd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (General Support) â€" "Nightmare" (CH-47F, UH/HH-60L)
- 4th Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (Reconnaissance & Attack) (AH-64D) â€" "Death Dealer"
- 602nd Support Battalion (Aviation) â€" "Warhorse"
- 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment/(Reconnaissance & Attack) (AH-64D) - "Fighting Sixth"(Rotational Forces)
- 130th Engineering Battalion, Task Force Ready (Rotational Forces)
The following units are also stationed at Camp Humphreys:
- 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1ABCT, 1ID (Rotational Forces)
- 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1ABCT, 1ID (Rotational Forces)
- 304th Signal Battalion
- 501st Signal Company
- 194th Combat Service Support Battalion
- 94th Military Police Battalion
- 249th Military Police Detachment
- 557th Military Police Company
- 20th Military Police Det (CID)
- 176th Finance Battalion, B Detachment
- 343rd Rear Operations Center, USAR
- 4-58th Airfield Operations Battalion
- 618th Dental Company
- 75th Medical Company(AS)
- 568th Medical Company
- USAF Det 2, 607th Weather Squadron
- 16th Medical Logistics (Blood Depot)
- 150th Animal Care Detachment
- Army Materiel Command, Logistics Support Element
- 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion
- 719th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 524th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion
- 138th Battalion Movement Control Team
- 22nd/8th Korean Service Corps (KSC) Company
- 52nd Ordnance Company
- 538th Ordnance Company
- 25th Transportation 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 Humphreys Central elementary and high school. In 2013, construction completed the new schools and adjacent athletic fields accommodate 1,700 students. The Humphreys Central elementary school hold 850 students and the high school hold 950. The elementary school hold kindergarten through fifth-grade classes and the high school hold sixth through 12th grades until a new middle school. Humphreys Middle School and Humphreys Western Elementary school will open the CY17.
Post exchange (AAFES)
Camp Humphreys is home to a 72,000 square foot concession mall, with laundry and dry Cleaning services, an optical shop, LG Uplus(Mobile, Internet, CATV ETC), 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.
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.
In popular culture
- Camp Humphreys is featured in the 2013 film World War Z.
See also
- List of United States Army installations in South Korea
References
External links
- United States Forces Korea â€" Official Website
- Camp Humphreys Official Website
