My day started early to begin a two hour drive to Camp Humphreys, one of the largest American army bases abroad. Our tour began with a short orientation video which described the scope of the many operations performed at Camp Humphreys. The army installation was built in 1919 to support South Korean war efforts against North Korea. Since then, Camp Humphreys has developed substantially to further strengthen the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
Our tour continued with a presentation from Army combat engineers who described their primary goals while working on base. The Army has two different agencies for engineering including the Corps of Engineers and combat engineers. While the Army Corps of Engineers are primarily consist of civilians who complete mostly public works projects for the government, combat engineers focus on creating solutions to enhance military mobility and counter mobility efforts. We viewed various military equipment that is used to level ground, create bridges, facilitate the transportation of tanks, and cross bodies of water. One piece of equipment that particularly stood out to me was the armored dozer. The dozer looked very similar to a bulldozer which could be found at a construction site, and is used to move soil and debris while also protecting the operator through its reinforced exterior. It was extremely interesting to observe the typical civilian practices of engineering intertwined with combat perspectives.
Finally, we took a driving tour of the post where I was able to fully realize the size of Camp Humphreys. As a military brat, I have experience living on several military bases in my youth, though all of them shy in comparison at the vastness of Camp Humphreys. Through the window of our tour bus, we observed shooting ranges, Apache helicopter landing sites, and obstacle courses for soldier training. Aside from military processes, Camp Humphreys also accommodates military families. The base has two different elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, and various family recreation centers. In addition to military equipment, we observed golf courses, a large theater, and a library. These facilities contribute to the comfort of military families stationed on post.
Our tour of Camp Humphreys was an incredibly unique experience which provided me with a further understanding of American military involvement abroad. Touring the base made me reflect on my own past as a military child and helped me develop more perspective on international relations.