Camp Walker

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Camp Walker
Daegu, South Korea
Type Army post
Site information
Owner  United States
Controlled by   United States Army
Site history
Built 1950
In use 1950 - present
Garrison information
Garrison 2nd Infantry Division

Camp Walker is an American military camp 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 US military bases in Daegu hosting elements of the 2nd Infantry Division (United States). Camp Walker spans 94 acres (0.38 km2) and is occupied by 100 military and civilian families.

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.[1]

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

Postwar

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

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

Occupants

Facilities

  • Hospitals available:
    • Bodine Dental Clinic
  • MWR facilities
    • Evergreen Golf Club
    • Recreation Center
  • AAFES facilities available:
    • Post Exchange
    • Burger King

References

  1. ↑ Marion, Forrest (2004). That others may live: USAF air rescue in Korea. Air Force History and Museums Program. p. 7-9. ISBN 9780160876257. 
  2. ↑ "02-February 1951 Sikorsky H-5G". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 July 2013. 

External links

  • , Camp Walker Facebook page
  • , official website of USAG Daegu

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

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