MARFORK, the Marine Corps’ component to U.S. Forces Korea, made the transition to coincide with USFK’s transition to Camp Humphreys, slated to occur the following week. Both commands will share the same building.
“Our move to Camp Humphreys improves the strength of our partnership,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Hermesmann, MARFORK commander. “On behalf of all Marines, we thank the people of Seoul for their long standing hospitality and support while we were there, and we also thank the people of the Republic of Korea for their continued support and providing a first-class facility at Camp Humphreys.”
All Marine Corps forces and personnel check in with MARFORK before conducting operations on the Korean peninsula, and remain the responsibility of MARFORK while in theater.
The Marine Corps has a historic legacy in the Seoul region of Korea.
The Marines first conducted amphibious operations in the Incheon area just west of the city in 1871 before formal relations were established between the United States and the people of Korea.
In 1894, a detachment of Marines from the U.S.S. Baltimore marched 31 miles from the coast to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to protect personnel from aggression due to regional conflict.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team conducted an amphibious landing at Incheon and liberated Seoul in September of 1950. The landing was called a strategic masterstroke by President Dwight Eisenhower, and is credited with helping change the direction of the Korean War.
“The United States Marine Corps has a legacy in Seoul, having worked on behalf of the United Nations to liberate the great city in 1950,” said Hermesmann. “Because of our shared history, U.S. Marines will always hold this city and its people in their hearts. We have tremendous pride for what we have accomplished together.”
The responsibility for U.S. Marine Corps forces in Korea belonged to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific until 1995. MARFORPAC was originally a part of Fleet Marine Forces Pacific under the Navy until 1992 when MARFORPAC became an independent component by order of the Commander In Chief, Pacific (now commander, USINDOPACOM).
MARFORK stood up as an independent command to support the service’s unique operational expeditionary requirements for theater security cooperation, logistics, and accountability.
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2018 21:38 |
| Story ID: | 282396 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, KR |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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