Rock stars travel the world, but when the band Hoobastank visited Camp Humphreys, a huge U.S. military base in South Korea, they were amazed at how familiar it looked. Lead singer Doug Robb compared it to a small town in Texas.
On the Fourth of July, Camp Humphreys looked like any American town celebrating the holiday. There were kids playing in a fountain, food trucks serving barbecue and Korean dishes, and families enjoying the festivities. But there was something different: this American scene was happening under the watch of missile defense systems, just 60 miles from North Korea.
Camp Humphreys is not just a base; it’s a crucial part of U.S. and South Korean defense. With North Korea’s growing military threats, this base has become a key player in the region’s security. The base houses 41,000 people and is the largest U.S. base in South Korea, acting as a strong deterrent against North Korean aggression.
Colonel Ryan Workman, who runs the base, calls it the “center of gravity” for the U.S.-South Korea military alliance. It’s a major hub for U.S. Forces Korea, the Eighth Army, and the 2nd Infantry Division. The base’s airfield is the busiest in the Pacific, and its facilities are always prepared for action, with troops ready to “fight tonight.”
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But Camp Humphreys is not all about military readiness. It also aims to make life as comfortable and familiar as possible for its residents. For example, Krispy Kreme doughnuts are baked fresh daily, providing a “taste of home” for families. There’s even a Texas Roadhouse restaurant, and the base has American-style stores like you’d find in any U.S. town.
One notable resident is Sgt. Terry Cook, who moved to Camp Humphreys with his family. Despite the base’s military significance, his family’s life here resembles that of many American families. His wife, Tyrese, balances raising their five children with running a YouTube channel about their life in Korea. They find comfort in the familiar surroundings, which help them feel at home even so far from the U.S.
Camp Humphreys is also a center for new beginnings. Recently, ten U.S. soldiers from various countries became American citizens in a special ceremony. For them, this base represents a new chapter in their lives as they embrace their new home and duties.
The base’s history stretches back more than a century, starting as a Japanese airfield before being expanded and renamed in honor of a fallen Army pilot. Its transformation into the largest U.S. base in South Korea involved significant investment and construction, funded mainly by the South Korean government.
As tensions with North Korea continue, Camp Humphreys is expanding even further. New facilities and housing are being built to accommodate more troops and their families, ensuring the base remains a stronghold of American power and a safe haven for its residents.
So, while it might look like a slice of Americana, Camp Humphreys is a strategic outpost with a mission: to maintain peace and security in a region where every day counts.
