Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Daegu, South Korea
Installation Type: U.S. Army Garrison (USAG)
Status: Active
Overview
U.S. Army Garrison Daegu is a medium-sized U.S. Army garrison headquartered at Camp Henry in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city with approximately 2.5 million residents. USAG Daegu manages base operations across six installations and 11 sites in Area IV, spanning from Daejeon south to Busan – the largest geographic footprint of any U.S. installation in Korea. Key installations include Camps Henry, Walker, and George in Daegu; Camp Carroll in Waegwan; and the Busan Storage Facility. USAG Daegu supports over 10,000 U.S. military, civilian, family members, Korean national employees, and KATUSA Soldiers.
Mission & Units
- Primary Mission: Provide installation and sustainment support for U.S. Forces Korea in Area IV; enable sustainment, logistics, and force protection in support of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance.
- Major Units: 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) (HQ at Camp Henry); 403rd Army Field Support Brigade-Korea; Material Supply Center-Korea; U.S. Army Field Support Brigade-Far East elements
- Tenant Units: 36th Signal Battalion; 168th Medical Battalion; American Forces Network-Korea (AFN-K) Daegu Detachment; Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae (Navy support); U.S. Marine Corps Camp Mujuk support; ROK-U.S. combined liaison elements; KATUSA Soldiers integrated throughout
Location & Access
- Nearest Major City: Daegu city center adjacent to Camp Henry; Seoul approximately 300 km north; Busan approximately 90 km southeast
- Nearest Commercial Airport: Daegu International Airport – approximately 5 km from Camp Henry; Gimhae International Airport (Busan, PUS) – approximately 90 km
- Gate Access: Camp Henry main gate (Nam-gu, Daegu) is primary entry for garrison headquarters; all gates require valid military ID or DoD civilian credential; visitors require military sponsor escort and advance coordination; Korean and U.S. civilian visitor procedures in place
Population
- Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500 (Daegu enclave approximately 1,100; Camp Carroll approximately 4,200 total population)
- Family Members: Approximately 2,500 (family housing concentrated at Camp Walker)
- Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500 (U.S. and Korean nationals)
- Total Installation Population: Approximately 10,667 across all USAG Daegu installations
Key Facilities
- Medical: U.S. Army Health Clinic Camp Henry for primary care; Daegu Middle High School clinic; dental clinic on Camp Walker; major specialty referrals to Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital at Camp Humphreys (approximately 200 km north) or Osan Air Base
- Commissary: Yes – DeCA Commissary on Camp Walker; full-service grocery commissary
- Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main exchange on Camp Walker; shoppettes and gas stations on multiple camps
- Fitness & Recreation: Kelly Gym and Athletic Field on Camp Walker; MWR facilities on multiple camps; Evergreen Golf Course on Camp Walker; bowling center; outdoor recreation; various MWR clubs and programs
- Schools: DoDEA Daegu Middle High School (grades 6-12) on Camp Walker; DoDEA Daegu Elementary School serves lower grades; bus service between camps for school attendance
- Childcare: Child Development Center on Camp Walker; waitlists possible; contact garrison Child and Youth Services
- Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care; contact garrison for appointment hours
- Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office at Camp Henry; appointment-based; DSN contact through garrison directory
Housing
- On-Post Housing: Family housing concentrated at Camp Walker (approximately 360 units for military and civilian families); mix of apartment-style and townhome units; condition varies; ongoing renovation and improvement projects; unaccompanied personnel housed in barracks on respective camps
- Average Wait Time: Varies; on-post housing priority given to families with school-age children; verify current availability with Housing Services Office
- Off-Post Housing: Korean economy housing available in Daegu; high-rise apartment living typical in Korea; Korean apartments (apartments in Korea are measured in “pyeong” units); off-post housing requires Korean language assistance or Korean national employee support for lease negotiations; rent typically 500,000-1,500,000 Korean Won/month for housing near the installation
- BAH Rate Reference: Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) applies; check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)
PCS & Newcomer Info
- Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit through USAG Daegu upon receipt of orders; unit sponsorship coordinators assist with pre-arrival planning; sponsor meets arrivals at airport upon coordination
- In-Processing: Report to USAG Daegu Welcome Center at Camp Henry; in-processing typically 2-3 business days; includes SOFA briefing, force protection, and cultural orientation
- EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, Camp Henry; enrollment required prior to PCS; assess availability of specialist medical services in Daegu area and at Camp Humphreys; Korean civilian hospitals in Daegu are modern and well-equipped; English-speaking staff may be limited
OCONUS-Specific Information
- SOFA Status: U.S. Forces Korea operate under the U.S.-Republic of Korea Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA); provides jurisdiction framework, duty-free import privileges, and base access arrangements; U.S. personnel subject to Korean law for off-base criminal acts; SOFA requires prior consultation between U.S. and Korean authorities for cases involving Korean nationals
- Host Nation Rules: Korean traffic law applies off-post; drive on the right; speed limits in km/h; blood alcohol limit for driving 0.03% (very strict); Korean cultural norms emphasize respect for elders and hierarchy; removing shoes when entering Korean homes is expected; public behavior standards are conservative by Western standards
- Curfew Policy: USFK curfew policy in effect; military curfew typically midnight to 0400 (verify current policy with USFK PAO as it changes periodically); curfew applies to all U.S. military members in Korea including family members under 18; commanders may impose stricter unit curfews; curfew violations are serious UCMJ offenses
- Ration Card / Customs: Ration Control Program (RCP) in effect for Korea; all authorized personnel receive a ration control plate (smart card) limiting duty-free purchases of controlled items (alcohol, tobacco, etc.); purchases tracked electronically; misuse of ration control is a prosecutable offense; customs inspections upon entry to Korea
- Vehicle Registration & Licensing: U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Form 134 for vehicle registration; USFK license required for POV operation; U.S. state license accepted initially but USFK license required within 30 days of arrival; POV shipping to Korea requires vehicle meet Korean emission standards and right-hand traffic; motorcycle licensing has additional requirements; public transportation (subway, bus) in Daegu is excellent and widely used
- Language & Culture: Korean; English not widely spoken off-post except in tourist/international areas; basic Korean phrases appreciated; Korean culture values Confucian hierarchy, group harmony, and hospitality; contract workers (KATUSA Soldiers) are fully bilingual and invaluable liaisons; ACS cultural orientation programs available
- Currency & Banking: Korean Won (KRW); exchange rates variable; U.S. dollar accepted at some on-post facilities; banking facilities on Camp Walker and Camp Henry including military banking facilities (KEB-Hana Bank or equivalent); ATMs on post accept U.S. cards
- Travel Restrictions: Korea requires USFK leave area travel authorization for travel outside Korea; travel to the DMZ area has special access requirements; some countries require command approval; travel to North Korea is prohibited
- Mail: APO AP 96271 (Camp Henry); 96218 (Camp Walker); mail delivery from CONUS typically 10-21 days; Korean postal service (KoreaPost) available off-post; international courier services (DHL, FedEx) available in Daegu city
- Pets: No quarantine for dogs/cats entering South Korea from the U.S. under USFK import procedures if vaccinated (rabies, distemper, parvovirus) and microchipped; USFK Form 77-R required; some breeds may be subject to Korean Animal Protection Act restrictions; Veterinary Treatment Facility required for import health certificate; pets NOT pre-approved through military channels may face quarantine at Korean customs
Local Area & Quality of Life
- Climate: Humid continental; hot humid summers (average high 33C/91F in August); cold dry winters (average low -5C/23F in January); spring and fall are pleasant; occasional monsoon rains (Jangma) in July
- Cost of Living: Low to moderate relative to U.S. average; OHA and COLA rates account for Korean costs; dining in Korean restaurants and markets is very affordable; U.S.-brand products at commissary/exchange comparable to CONUS prices
- Nearby Attractions: Bulguksa Temple and Gyeongju (Silla Kingdom ancient capital, UNESCO World Heritage Site, 90 km); Busan beaches and Jagalchi Fish Market (90 km); Daegu Duryu Park and Seomun Market; numerous Korean festivals throughout the year; Korean baseball (Samsung Lions in Daegu)
- Spouse Employment: Limited English-language employment opportunities in Daegu outside the installation; NAF positions on post; English teaching opportunities in Korean private academies (hagwons) – teaching license may be required; remote work common; ACS Employment Readiness Program can assist
Contact & Resources
- Official Website: https://www.army.mil/daegu
- Main Installation Phone: DSN 764-1110 (Camp Henry); civilian +82-53-470-1110
- MWR Website: https://daegu.armymwr.com
- ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Camp Henry; DSN 764-2611; relocation assistance, financial readiness, employment readiness, cultural orientation, family advocacy
Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.army.mil/daegu; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/usag-daegu; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedStatesArmyGarrisonDaegu; https://militarybases.com/overseas/south-korea/daegu