CAMP HUMPHREYS -- The United States Ambassador to Korea got a look at the Army's largest construction project during a visit here Feb. 9.
Ambassador Sung Kim received a briefing and tour of the installation from Col. Joseph P. Moore, United States Army Garrison Humphreys commander. The briefing, titled "Building an Army for the 21st Century," emphasized the modern look Humphreys will assume. It also touched on the increase in size and in population that will occur. Also mentioned was the mix of U.S. and Korean Soldiers, KATUSAs, civilian employees and families.
Pointing to a slide featuring images of children, Moore told Kim, "This is what has changed so much, the increase in families."
The briefing also touched on changes to come. This includes 513 buildings being constructed and 465 being demolished.
"It's a complex procedure," Moore said, explaining that while it is obvious employees must have a new building to work in before their existing one is torn down, there are 978 buildings in play, so first-rate planning and organization are musts.
As an example of the complexity of the task, Moore mentioned how even the weather comes into play.
"The idea is to move all the monsoon drainage flow east to west and in the extreme west, we have a flood gate to release the water," he said.
This is one of the many issues being dealt with as Humphreys becomes one of the Pacific region's main Army posts.
Kim called Humphreys expansion one of the military's "most significant developments and a very important project."
Following the briefing and a tour of the Super Gym by Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring, Kim met with local Soldiers.
"Everyone in the State Department has the deepest respect for the military, especially those serving away from home," he told them. "I have great respect for what you are doing and can't say enough how much I appreciate it."
He also encouraged the Soldiers to learn the Korean language and culture and to get involved in community service.
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