On Site Pyeongtaek era begins for 8th US Army
.jpg?w=728)
Participants hold an unveiling ceremony, Tuesday, for the statue of Gen. Walton H. Walker, which has been relocated from Yongsan to the new headquarters of the Eighth U.S. Army in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Gen. Walker was the commander of the Eighth Army when it was deployed to the Korean Peninsula at the outbreak of the Korean War, June 25, 1950. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
Pyeongtaek — The new headquarters of the Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA) opened in Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, marking a historic relocation of American troops who had been stationed in central Seoul for more than 60 years since the 1950-53 Korean War.
The EUSA move is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s largest relocation project for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), which is currently ongoing after a decade of planning, negotiating and building.
Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, the commanding general of EUSA, said it was a “historic day as we commemorate the relocation of the Eighth Army headquarters from its storied past of 64 years in Yongsan, Seoul, to our new home in Peongtaek,” during an opening ceremony held in front of the new headquarters.
As the construction is almost complete, Camp Humphreys has been transformed into a gigantic base, three times the size of the old one and equipped with up-to-date facilities
Vandal noted that the project has dramatically increased the size of Camp Humphreys, making it the largest U.S. Army Garrison overseas.
“The installation is the crown jewel of overseas installations in the Department of Defense,” the commander said.
The governments of South Korea and the United States have been carrying out projects to relocate the USFK and return land to the people through two major plans — the Yongsan Relocation Plan (YRP) and the Land Partnership Plan (LPP).
The YRP is the relocation of the U.S. Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul including the USFK and EUSA headquarters to Pyeongtaek, while the LPP will consolidate the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) from north of Seoul also to Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of the capital.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the allies have completed 94.4 percent of the construction work as of June.
But Vandal noted he would say about 80 percent of construction has been completed considering various equipment such as the command, control and communication computers.
On April 25, EUSA began its move to Pyeongtaek by relocating the Gen. Walton H. Walker monument that had been in Yongsan Garrison.
Walker was the commander of EUSA when it was deployed to the Korean Peninsula with the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950.
A Texas native, Walker has been called a Korean War hero as he played a pivotal role in defending against North Korea before he was killed in a jeep accident in December 1950.
Participants in the opening ceremony included ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command chief Leem Ho-young, Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk, First Deputy Director of National Security Lee Sang-chul and retired Gen. Paik Sun-yup, an honorary Eighth Army commander.
Sam Walker, great grandson of Gen. Walker, was also present.
“The initial phase of the war did not play in the allied forces’ favor, but with Gen. Walker’s leadership, pure fighting tenacity and military acumen, the combined Eighth Army forces were able to valiantly hold the Busan Perimeter until the landing at Incheon in September and subsequent offensive operations to regain Seoul in 1950,” Vandal explained, referring to the unveiling of the Walker statue that stands next to the new headquarters.
Patrick L. Mackenzie, the deputy garrison commander, said military facilities that have been already completed include the huge airfield, which he called “the busiest airfield as we have the most takeoffs and landings.”
Libraries, churches and schools are located near family housings so that people can reach anywhere within walking distance, he noted, adding that the construction of family housing will be completed by 2019.
Other facilities include commissaries, veterinary hospitals, gyms and movie theaters with IMEX capability.
Mackenzie added that medical facilities include a dental clinic with 79 chairs, saying, “It is the second largest for the Department of Defense.”
Vandal said, “Once complete in 2020, the transformation will reflect the enduring commitment of both the ROK and U.S. governments to this great alliance. It will also greatly enhance our quality of life, our force protection and ultimately — our readiness to fight tonight.”
A USFK official said on condition of anonymity that USFK headquarters would be relocated to Pyeongtaek by the end of the year, while 2ID would be moved by next year.
The relocation plans have been pushed for since 2003 after then-President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush agreed upon them.
The expenses for the YRP are estimated at about 8.86 trillion won, while those for the LPP are estimated at 7.1 trillion won.
South Korea shoulders the cost of the YRP, and the U.S. bears that of the LPP.
Once complete, the size of the camp will be 3,453 acres, and the population will increase from 11,000 to 43,000, officials said.