A Yongsan building cradles a tree in its final resting place after Typhoon Kompasu blew over the Korean Peninsula Sept. 2. More than half the base lost power and approximately 100 trees were blown over. For more images of the damage caused by Typhoon...
YONGSAN GARRISON, Korea -- Military garrisons in Korea were ready for Typhoon Kompasu, a Category 1 tropical cyclone that hit the peninsula early Sept. 2 with 65-mph sustained winds.
There have been no reported injuries of U. S. Army personnel, but the storm caused moderate, widespread damage.
Of the four U.S. Army Garrisons on the Korean Peninsula, Yongsan Garrison took the brunt of the storm with more than half of the installation losing power, including Camp Market and Command Post Tango, according to Dennis Stockwell, chief of plans and operations for the USAG Yongsan Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. Numerous trees were uprooted and multiple buildings and structures suffered wind and tree damage.
Stockwell said damage assessment at Yongsan is still ongoing - multiple buildings and vehicles are still covered in trees and debris. Power has been restored in most areas, but efforts are still being made to return electricity to remaining areas.
Although there were no power outages at USAG Humphreys, more than 200 trees were toppled and one aircraft hangar lost a portion of its roof, said Lori Yerdon, Humphreys public affairs officer. Other structures, such as warehouses and another hangar took minimal wind damage. Yerdon said efforts were being made to salvage approximately 50 of the trees that were blown down.
Osan Air Base, only a few miles from Humphreys, also received minimal damage and brief power outages, according to Senior Airman Evelyn Chavez, 51st Fighter Wing public affairs specialist.
USAG Red Cloud and Casey received no structural damage and only brief power outages despite the loss of about 100 trees, according to Brent Abare, deputy garrison commander for USAG Casey.
In the southern part of the peninsula, USAG Daegu was unaffected.
Stockwell said the main focus is to bring the affected garrisons, particularly Yongsan, back to a sense of normalcy. The biggest concern, he said, was preparing for another possible storm front from the south.
"The garrison occupants contributed to a quick recovery" said Stockwell. "People were good about following command directions and helping out where needed."
Abare credited fast recovery to one important factor: "We were ready."
Social Sharing