Camp Humphreys - History

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.

• Wrecked North Korean tank on bridge near Pyeongtaek during the Korean War.

• Marines at K-6 Air Base pose for a photo during the Korean War.

• VMA-251 Thunderbolts at Pyongtaek airfield (K-6), South Korea, in 1953/54.

• A U.S. Marine Corps Douglas AD-2 Skyraider during the Korean War.

• US Army OV-1D Mohawk taken at Camp Humphreys.

• US Army OV-1D Mohawk's last flight at Camp Humphreys.

• A C-130 Hercules aircraft lands at the Camp Humphreys airfield.

• UH-1N Iroquois (Huey) utility helicopter (right) takes off from the flight line at Camp Humphreys.

• AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters flying at Camp Humphreys.

• A CH-47 Chinook helicopter flys at Camp Humphreys.

• 2011 mass casualty exercise at Camp Humphreys.

• Camp Humphreys Memorial Park.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, United States Forces Korea and Republic of Korea 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.

On 2 September 2011, U.S. and 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.