It looks like the move of the 8th Army Headquarters to Hawaii is coming closer to one day being a reality:
South Korean and U.S. defense officials are discussing a possible move of the 8th U.S. Army headquarters from Seoul to Hawaii in 2012, a spokesman for South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.
The spokesman said no decisions have been reached, and ministry officials have not decided if they support the plan.
Lt. Col. Brodrick J. Bailey, 8th Army spokesman, said in an e-mail Friday that “details regarding the reorganization … have not been finalized” and it would be inappropriate to speculate on proposed changses.
He said the reorganization is part of an Army-wide effort to change all numbered headquarters to “ensure each has a war-fighting capability.” [Stars & Stripes]
This is far from being a done deal but at least USFK is admitting that this is what they are trying to do compare to in the past when they would just flat out deny it. What else that was of interest in the article is that the USFK spokesman said that USFK would be downsized from the current 28,500 servicemembers now to 25,000 by 2012 when war time control and the move of the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii is complete.
This reduction is coming despite promises from President Bush to Korean President Lee Myung-bak that the US would keep force levels at 28,500. If this relocation of the command happens the 28,500 figure will not last for long.
This is far from being a done deal because four years is a long time for the Korean government will do everything possible to delay this relocation plan. Plus a change of the US President will happen this year that could greatly alter any relocation plans as well. Like I have said before on this topic, this is something I will definitely have to see before I start believing it is actually going to happen.
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10:14 am on June 10th, 2008 1
The world’s going to end 21 December 2012…how convenient.
11:16 am on June 10th, 2008 2
The fact the move is out of Korea instead of a Pyongtaek-type move gives some encouragement at least. Like - it seems the only way we’ll ever get the US Embassy moved is if we take it to Hawai’i…
2:22 pm on June 10th, 2008 3
I wonder if the plan to take out a fighter squadron is still on. With Gates chopping off heads in the top leadership you never know what might happen. The very least is the AF will be tasked to, and support OEF and OIF more. Of course with the change of administration the “promise” to keep X number of troops in Korea will probably be broken. Even though I would personally like to see a large US footprint.
3:34 pm on June 10th, 2008 4
“Camp Red Cloud will be closed by 1992″ - overheard numerous times while stationed there.