Camp Walker

Camp Walker
Nam District, Daegu, South Korea

Official crest of U.S. Army Garrison Daegu
Type Army post
Site information
Owner  United States
Controlled by   United States Army
Site history
Built 1921
In use 1950 - present

Camp Walker is an U.S. military base in Daegu, South Korea. Camp Walker was named in 1951 after General Walton Walker, commander of the Eighth Army who was killed in a jeep crash in December 1950 during the Korean War. Camp Walker, Camp Henry, and Camp George are the three U.S. military bases in Daegu, part of the U.S. Army Garrison Daegu. Camp Walker spans 94 acres (0.38 km2) and contains military family housing for about 100 military and civilian families. Also on Camp Walker are Daegu High School,[1] a DoDEA school serving 9th to 12th graders; the main Exchange and DeCA Commissary; the Camp Walker Army Lodge; the Evergreen Golf Course; Kelly Gym and Athletic Field; and several Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) clubs.[2]

The nearest subway station is Hyeonchungno of Daegu Metro, located on the northwest side of the base outside Gate 6.

History

The camp was originally established as an Imperial Japanese Army base in 1921 during the Japanese imperial period. An airfield was later built on the base.

Korean War

During the Korean War the USAF designated the airfield as K-37 or Taegu West Air Base. The runway was improved to an asphalt surfaced 4,335 feet (1,321 m) by 140 feet (43 m) facility.

Detachment F of the USAF 3rd Air Rescue Squadron operating Sikorsky H-5s and later Sikorsky H-19s was based at K-37 from January–June 1951. One H-5 remained at K-37 while the rest of the unit moved forward to K-16.[3]

On 2 February 1951 H-5G #48-0530 was written off in a crash 8 miles (13 km) west of K-37.[4]

Postwar

Department of Defense housing was opened on the base in 1959.

The airfield remains in use as a heliport designated H-805.

Occupants

Facilities[2]

See also

References

  1. "Daegu High School website". Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Official U.S. Army Garrison Daegu website". Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  3. Marion, Forrest (2004). That others may die: USAF air rescue in Korea. Air Force History and Museums Program. pp. 7–9. ISBN 9780160876257.
  4. "02-February 1951 Sikorsky H-5G". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 July 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camp Walker (South Korea).

Coordinates: 35°50′11″N 128°35′25″E / 35.83639°N 128.59028°E / 35.83639; 128.59028

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