News Stories

Old Soldiers Never Die: USFK Command Sgt. Maj. retires after 36 years
March 17, 2022 — Entering a senior enlisted advisor’s office is like stepping back in time. To a junior service member, it might resemble a museum with memorabilia and placards, undoubtedly supported by countless shared memories of places he once called home. Photos of old friends at military school graduations, shadowboxes full of medals and parting gifts, and challenge coins neatly positioned everywhere; every corner has a story... MORE

Portrait of Command Sgt. Major Walter A. Tagalicud when he was a U.S. Army Pvt. in front of a U.S. flag.

Taking A ‘Bite’ Out of Decoy Training
March 11, 2022 — This week the U.S. Army 503/903 Combined Military Working Dog Detachment held a joint 3-day training event with the handlers of the U.S. Air Force 51st Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. During Decoy Training, Military Working Dogs are encouraged to bite a “decoy target,” while a handler wears a protective ‘bite shirt’ or ‘wrap’ acting as the assailant... MORE

Airman watches instructor who holds the leash of the military working dog who is leaping toward a soldier wearing a protective bit shirt, mouth open and ready to bite the arm.

USFK adjusts HPCON Bravo Plus measures to align with ROK policies
February 9, 2022 — Based on the downward trend of the COVID virus within our formations, installations and communities, and to balance mission readiness with the health and well-being of our affiliated community, USFK will adjust its Health Protection Condition Bravo Plus mitigation measures to align with existing Republic of Korea policies beginning Friday, February 11 at noon... MORE

USFK aligns to ROK for mandatory arrival quarantine policy
February 7, 2022 — Based on recent ROK policy changes regarding international arrivals, and regardless of vaccination status, all will now be subject to a mandatory 7-day quarantine. Note: This is a change from the previous 10-day mandatory quarantine period that was in effect on Dec. 3... MORE

Negative COVID-19 PCR test required for all overseas arrivals update
January 14, 2022 — Beginning Thursday, January 20, 2022, South Korea will implement stricter entry requirements for off-peninsula arrivals: All travelers - both new arrivals and returnees - must possess a negative PCR test within 48 hours before the departure date; be advised the PCR test must be performed and the certificate must be issued within the same 48-hour period of departure. Additionally, children under the age of 6 (on the date of arrival) are exempt from this requirement, if all travelers possesses a valid negative PCR test... MORE

Public Health Emergency Declaration on USFK Installations Renewed
January 10, 2022 — The USFK Commander has renewed the current Public Health Emergency Declaration. It will remain in effect for 90 days after issue date, unless it is renewed or terminated before then... MORE

USFK Implements HPCON Bravo Plus
January 7, 2022 — Due to the continued presence of COVID-19 within United States Forces Korea and South Korea, USFK has increased its health protection condition to “Bravo Plus” peninsula-wide effective January 8, 2022 at 12 p.m. until April 21, 2022 at 6 a.m. Unauthorized off-installation activities include seated dining at restaurants, indoor malls, bars, clubs, gyms, amusement parks, theaters, massage parlors, saunas, spas or festivals. Authorized activities include emergency services, medical care, pharmacy, schools and daycare, grocery shopping, life, health and safety, shopping, and religious services among other activities. Due to the associated risk of potential exposure to the virus, travel to Seoul is prohibited except for official duties or for individuals who live or work in Seoul. ... MORE

USFK implements mandatory 10-day quarantine
December 3, 2021 — Due to the confirmation of the COVID-19 omicron variant in the Republic of Korea, and to align with the ROK government’s COVID initiative requiring all international arrivals (including incoming USFK-affiliated personnel) undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine regardless of vaccination status, USFK will implement the same quarantine requirement for its affiliated community effective today until further notice... MORE

Lessons Learned as a Civilian Supervisor
November 17, 2021 — Ms. Jacqueline Leeker, the USFK Public Affairs Deputy Director, and winner of the 2021 USFK's Civilian Employee of the Year Award for Manager of the Year, talks about leadership and the best advice she has received over the years about management. What is written in this article are Ms. Leeker's thoughts and opinions and does not reflect the opinions of USFK... MORE

Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, UNC/CFC/USFK commander, and USFK Command Sgt. Maj. Walter A. Tagalicud, stand with Ms. Jacqueline Leeker, the U.S. Manager of the Year recipient for the 2021 USFK Civilian Employee of the Year Award Ceremony at Riverbend Golf Course on Nov. 17, 2021. (U.S. Army photos by PFC Kim, Sang-Heon)

USFK removes IR-based travel restrictions
November 5, 2021 — Effective immediately, due to increased vaccination rates among USFK-affiliated and ROK populations, and to better align with the ROK government’s “Living with COVID-19” initiatives, USFK is removing all existing travel restrictions within the ROK for its affiliated communities. Future travel restrictions will now be implemented the USFK Component Commands to mitigate risk to their formations; please see your or your sponsor’s chain of command/supervisor on how this change in policy effects you... MORE

USFK adjusts Health Monitoring Status for fully vaccinated personnel
October 18, 2021 — Effective immediately, as the rates of fully vaccinated individuals continue to increase for both USFK and ROK, USFK has adjusted its Health Monitoring Status (formerly known as working quarantine) for fully vaccinated personnel to align with ROK arrival quarantine procedures... MORE

Public Health Emergency Declaration on USFK Installations Renewed
October 12, 2021 — The USFK Commander has renewed the current Public Health Emergency Declaration. It will remain in effect for 90 days after issue date, unless it is renewed or terminated before then... MORE

From peers to leaders: KATUSAs participate in NCO induction ceremony
September 27, 2021 — Thirty-two newly promoted soldiers from the 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, along with five soldiers from the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army program, joined the ranks of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps during an induction ceremony at the Wightman NCO Academy Auditorium on Camp Humphreys, Sep. 24, 2021. The NCO induction ceremony is a time-honored tradition recognizing the transition of enlisted soldiers into a position of leadership within their organization, and honoring their willing acceptance of the greater responsibilities that come with leadership... MORE

ROK Army KATUSAs with Sgt. Maj. Henry A. Scott, Command Sergeant Major of 6-52 ADA Battalion, 35th ADA Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Seung Yong Cheon, Eighth United States Army Republic of Korea Army Support Group Civil Relations and Safety NCO, after the NCO induction ceremony. (US Army photo by Ms. Amelia M. Gillies)

The Backbone of the Alliance– U.S., ROK leaders host a combined forum
September 17, 2021 — Senior noncommissioned with U.S. Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command held a Senior Leader Forum for junior NCOs officers at the Korea Combat Training Center, Republic of Korea, September 13, 2021... MORE

Group photo of 2 U.S. and 10 Korea female soldiers on stage posing for a photo.

USFK Implements New COVID-19 Measures Peninsula-Wide
August 26, 2021 — Beginning Saturday, Aug. 28 at midnight, United States Forces Korea will transition to a new method for implementing COVID-19 preventive measures for its affiliated communities that better aligns USFK with Republic of Korea, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense guidelines... MORE

Update for personnel in health monitoring status
August 16, 2021 — USFK is updating its health monitoring status policy for incoming USFK-affiliated personnel... MORE

U.S. and ROK militaries find creative ways to celebrate Alliance through music
July 26, 2021 — In coordination with U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Command, Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense created a joint music video to mark the 68th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 2021... MORE

ROK Army Sgt. Yook Sung-jae in dress uniform is standing on the left while U.S. Army Spc. Brittany D. Simmons in dress uniform is standing on the right and both are looking at one another, talking. Behind them is a blurred stairway from inside of the War Memorial of Korea.

U.S. Forces Korea hosted a blood drive in partnership with the Korean National Red Cross
July 21, 2021 — In partnership with the Korean National Red Cross, U.S. Forces Korea hosts a blood drive at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea on July 21, to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply for patients in need. ... MORE

Military service member is reclined inside of the KNRC bus donating blood. A KNRC nurse stands to the side drawing donator's blood.

Public Health Emergency Declaration on USFK Installations Renewed
July 14, 2021 — The USFK Commander has renewed the current Public Health Emergency Declaration. It will remain in effect for 90 days after issue date, unless it is renewed or terminated before then... MORE

Update: USFK Implements Enhanced COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
July 8, 2021 — USFK has implemented enhanced COVID-19 mitigation measures effective July 9 at 12 p.m. until August 27 at 11:59 p.m. All USFK-affiliated individuals are required to wear masks indoors on all USFK installations in all common areas. All bars and clubs are off-limits pen-wide. Travel to Areas I and II is off-limits except for individuals who live, work, or are conducting mission essential activities. All other travel requires an ETP letter signed by the battalion or squadron commander, or civilian equivalent, within the individual or sponsor’s chain of command... MORE