Camp Humphreys (), also known as United States Army Garrison-Humphreys ( USAG-H), is a United States Army military base located near Anjeong-ri and Pyeongtaek metropolitan areas in South Korea. U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official Website Camp Humphreys is home to Desiderio Army Airfield, the busiest U.S. Army airfield in Asia, with an 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, 2nd Infantry Division. The garrison has an area of and cost US$11 billion. Camp Humphreys is the largest U.S. 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 were completed in 2018, and transformed Camp Humphreys into the largest U.S. Army garrison in Asia. Under that plan, the 28,500 U.S. troop presence in South Korea was consolidated and United States Forces Korea moved from Yongsan Garrison in Seoul to Camp Humphreys. Camp Humphreys is south of the former base in Seoul and about 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. While the new location moves the bulk of U.S. troops out of the range of North Korean artillery, the North Korean military has developed large caliber rockets and ballistic missiles, as well as a nuclear capability, capable of reaching Camp Humphreys.
The installation covered an area of , but as part of the Yongsan District Relocation Plan that number has grow by to .
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 . 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 with peaks reaching to in elevation to the south and in elevation to the southeast. Urban areas are situated mostly to the northeast of the airfield. Seoul is located approximately northeast.
The Ansong River flows from the east to west toward the West Sea and passes three miles northwest of the airfield. About 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.
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. U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Official History
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. troops in South Korea would be consolidated into two regional hubs in Pyeongtaek and Daegu by 2016.
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 a 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.
As of 2017 the U.S. Army called Humphreys "the largest power projection platform in the Pacific". With the final stage of base expansion completed around 2020, Humphreys had tripled in size to nearly 3,500 acres, making it the largest U.S. overseas military base. To accommodate more families, up to twelve 12-story housing towers were built. The population of Humphreys is expected to exceed 45,000. Up to 93% of the $10.7 billion expansion cost was paid by South Korea under a 2014 Special Measures Agreement.
DoDEA currently manages four schools on Camp Humphreys. They include Humphreys Central and West Elementary Schools, Humphreys Middle School and Humphreys High School.
In 2011, construction began on a new Camp Humphreys for a central elementary and high school. In 2013, construction completed the new schools and adjacent athletic fields accommodate 1,700 students. Humphreys Central Elementary School can accommodate 850 students with the high school accommodating 950. The elementary school serves kindergarten through 4th grade classes, the middle school serves the and 8th grades, and the high school covers 9th through 12th grades.
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 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 employees 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 make purchases at all AAFES facilities in South Korea.
In September 2019, the Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital (BAACH) completed its relocation from Yongsan. This brings the full capabilities of an Army hospital to Camp Humphreys. Major services include general medical and surgical care, adult and pediatric primary care clinics, specialty clinics, clinical services, wellness and prevention services
Garrison units
Department of Defense Dependent Schools
Post exchange
Army Medicine
Education
In popular culture
See also
External links
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