Tag: USFK

Here is the first USFK court martial and ROK criminal prosecutions of the year and there sure are a lot of people being prosecuted to start the new year:

Results of Army Courts-Martial for January 2015

On 6 January 2015, at a Special Court Martial, Specialist Alvin Cinco, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of Abusive Sexual Contact (Article 120, UCMJ).  The Soldier was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to perform 30 days of hard labor, and to be restricted for 30 days to the confines of Camp Walker.

On 9 January 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Private (E-2) Joseph Kargbo, 498th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of disobeying a commissioned officer’s lawful order (Article 90, UCMJ); one specification of sexual assault (Article 120); one specification of false official statement (Article 107); two specifications of assault upon a law officer (Article 128); and one specification of failing to obey a general order (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit of all pay and allowances, to be confined for 180 days, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 9 January 2015, at a Summary Court-Martial, Sergeant First Class Steven E. Barnett, 94th Military Police Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of signing a false document (Article 107); and two specifications of larceny of military property (Article 121).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-6 and to forfeit $2,914.00 pay per month for one month.

On 15 January 2015 at a Special Court-Martial, Private (E-1) Stefan D. Hughes, 602d ASB, 2CAB, 2ID, was found guilty of one specification of aggravated assault (Article 128, UCMJ); one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128); one specification of insubordinate conduct toward a noncommissioned officer (Article 91); one specification of destruction of nonmilitary property (Article 109); two specifications of wrongful appropriation (Article 121); and one specification of disorderly conduct  (Article 134).  He was sentenced to be confined for 140 days, to forfeit $600 pay per month for four months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 22 January 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Private (E-2) Fernando P. Cabrera, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two specifications of abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ) and one specification of indecent visual recording (Article 120c).  He was sentence to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to be confined for 20 months, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 29 January 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Private (E1) Romel L. Jackson, 1-15th, 210th FA, 2ID, was found guilty of one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128, UCMJ) and one specification of aggravated assault (Article 128).  He was sentenced to be confined for 10 months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 29 January 2015, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private (E-2) Timothy W. McCaulley, 52^nd Air Defense Artillery, 35^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, was found guilty of abusive sexual contact (Article 120, UCMJ), and three specifications of violating a lawful general regulation (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit $773, and to be confined for 30 days.

On 29 January 2015, at a Summary Court-Martial, PFC Dwight A.K. Bradley, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of dereliction of duty (Article 92, UCMJ), and one specification of disobeying a lawful general regulation (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit 2/3 pay for one month, and to be confined for 30 days.

On 30 January 2015, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Denzel C. James, 1-15th, 210th FA, 2ID, was found guilty of three specifications of assault consummated by battery (Article 128, UCMJ).  He was sentenced to be reduced  to E-1, to be confined for seven months , and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 30 January 2015, at a Summary Court-Martial, PFC Tevin D. Watts, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of dereliction of duty (Article 92, UCMJ), and two specifications of disobeying a lawful general regulation (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to forfeit 2/3 pay for one month, and to be confined for 30 days.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for January 2015

In Uijeongbu  District Court on 5 January 2015, SSG SSG Joshua L. Tverberg, HSC, HHB, 2d Infantry Division, USAG Red Cloud, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 6 January 2015, SGT Jeremy M. Cox, E Btry 6/52d ADA, USAG Casey, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 6 January 2015, SPC Daniel S. Vega, LRC-RC, 403d AFSB, USAG Casey, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 12 January 2015, SGT Charles L. Kamuf, HHC, 1/73d Armor, USAG Casey, was convicted of Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 500,000 Won fine.

In Jeonju District Court on 13 January 2015, A1C Emanuel A. Na, 8th LRS, Kunsan Air Base, was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won and registration as a sex offender with the local authority.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 15 January 2015, SSG Jari A. Yarrell, I&S Co, HHB, 8th Army (duty w/G-6), was convicted of Larceny and DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 4,500,000 Won fine.

In Daegu District Court on 15 January 2015, PVT Geoffrey B. Cothran, B Co, 30th ESB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Western District Court on 21 January 2015, PFC Eric J. Bradley, F Co, 302d BSB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 22 January 2015, WO1 Scedric A. Moss, HHC, 65d Medical Brigade, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 23 January 2015, SrA Weston P. Basinger, 113FW, attached to 8FW, Kunsan Air Base, was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine, sexual violence treatment class for 40 hours and registration as a sex offender with the local authority.

In Suwon District Court on 23 January 2015, CW2 Quentin M. Hagewood, A Co, 3-2 GSAB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

Most of the Korea Times article is about Ambassador Mark Lippert who is making a good first impression with the Korean public, but here is what I found most interesting about the article:

The latest instance of his “friendly diplomacy” was his attendance at the New Year reception for the KATUSA Veterans Association, Thursday.

“Primarily, I was not given liberty. Tonight was that my wife wanted me to pick up something at the PX for the baby. So, I’m on borrowed time,” Lippert said during the event, referring to his son, who was born here, Tuesday.

The event was the only public event he kept this week, the 41-year-old added.

His wit also brought about laughs when he had to give an impromptu speech because of an unexpected technical problem with his tablet computer.

“For the first time, I was going to give my speech from my Microsoft tablet, but it froze immediately, literally seconds before. So seriously, it is going to be an interesting speech,” Lippert said.  (…………………..)

In honor of the unbreakable bond that develops between 8th U.S. Army soldiers and their KATUSA soldiers, Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, the 8th Army’s commanding general, has created an annual award for former KATUSA soldiers who have gone on to distinguish themselves in their careers and contributions to Korean society and the alliance.

“I would also like to announce the establishment of the Sgt. Kim Sang-won Distinguished Former KATUSA Award,” said Champoux.

Sgt. Kim served as a KATUSA with the 17th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War and participated in more than 300 combat patrols, including the drive to the Amrok River in late 1950. For his fighting spirit and unflappable courage, Kim was later awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action during one of his numerous patrols.

The inaugural award winner was Yoon Yoon-soo, chairman and CEO of Fila International. [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link, but congratulations to Mr. Yoon Yoon-soo for being the first awardee of the Sgt. Kim Sang-won Distinguished Former KATUSA Award.  I bet there is a lot of other former KATUSAs out there doing great things in public service and in the business community and this award is a way to highlight this fact.

This sounds like another populist antic, by the Dongducheon Mayor because the city could have the land tomorrow if the Korean government agreed to accept it:

Dongducheon residents and members of the Dongucheon City Council protest the possible long-term presence of U.S. soldiers in their city Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in front of the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Seoul.
Lim Sang-O/Special to Stars and Stripes

Angered by the U.S. military’s continuing possession of a long-vacated base, a city near the North Korean border is taking steps to “show its will,” from canceling friendship activities to forcing troops to go to municipal hall to register their cars.

Dongducheon, home to the 2nd Infantry’s Camps Casey and Hovey, notified the military Jan. 9 that it would withdraw its staffer handling private vehicle registrations for troops from Casey on Monday, forcing them to travel to city offices about a mile away.

“It was the quickest and easiest measure we could take under the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) and Korean domestic law,” the chief of a city office handling U.S. Forces Korea affairs said.

Dongducheon also plans to halt tours of the city for incoming 2ID soldiers and will no longer invite U.S. troops to take part in its annual Lunar New Year’s Day ceremony next month, he said. The city is also considering halting other friendship events with 2ID.

At issue is when U.S. Forces Korea will return Camp Castle, which it said closed in 2010, to South Korean control. The city says negotiations on the return that have been going on for several years have been postponed.

USFK said in a statement it is ready now to turn over 38 acres about 1.8 miles from city hall.

“Camp Castle will be returned as soon as the (South Korean) government agrees to accept the return,” the statement said. The command would not elaborate on why the handover has apparently stalled and referred questions to South Korea.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries are currently discussing the handover of the base through Status of Forces Agreement channels including an environmental subcommittee, but the timing of the return has not been decided. The ministry did not provide further details.

Dongducheon had hoped to turn the vacant base into a university campus that city officials believe would bolster the local economy.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but with just about every USFK camp closeout and handover environmental clean up has been a big negotiating point.  This is because the Korean government tries to get USFK to pay as much for the clean up as possible even though by the letter of the SOFA the camps can be turned over as is.

Below is the latest USFK Court Martial and ROK Criminal Prosecution Results for December 2014:

Results of Court Martials for December 2014

On 4 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, Specialist Yvonne S. Mayberry, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92, UCMJ); one Specification of false official statement (Article 107); two Specifications of larceny of non-military property (Article 121); and two Specifications of stealing mail in (Article 134).  She was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, confined for 20 months, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 8 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SFC William J. Delgado, 65^th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of violating a lawful general order (Article 92, UCMJ) and one specification of sexual assault (Article 120).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 36 months, and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 10 December 2014, at a General Court-Martial, PV2 Deandre Coleman, 2d Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of two specifications of failure to go to his appointed placed of duty, (Article 86, UCMJ), one specification of disrespect to a commissioned officer (Article 89), one specification of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92), and three specifications of larceny (Article 121).  He was sentenced to be reduced to the grade of E-1, to be confined for eight months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 18 December 2014, at a General Court Martial, SPC Aaron Nies, 36^th Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of sexual assault (UCMJ, Article 120), three Specifications of abusive sexual contact (Article 120), attempted sexual assault (Article 80), indecent exposure (Article 120c), and failing to obey the curfew policy (Article 92).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 26 months, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 19 December 2014, at a Special Court-Martial, Private First Class Timetra K. Hooks, 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was found guilty of two Specifications of larceny of non-government property (Article 121, UCMJ); five Specifications of forgery (Article 123); and one specification of obstructing justice (Article 134).  She was sentenced to be reduced to E-1; to be confined for six months; and to be discharged with a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for December 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 4 December 2014, CPT Sophie S. Hilaire, HHB, 8th Army, duty w/USFK, was convicted of traffic law violations.  Her adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 10 December 2014, PVT Dmitri N. Davis, HHC, 3-2 GSAB, USAG Humphreys, was found not guilty of the charges of Indecent Act by Compulsion.

In Daegu District Court on 18 December 2014, PVT Travis D. Mitchell, 551st ICTC, USAG Daegu (Carroll), was convicted of Indecent Act by Compulsion.  His adjudged sentence was a 10,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 31 December 2014, Capt Jonathan P. Walsh, HQ, 7th Air Force (A7X), Osan Air Base, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury, Destruction and Damage of Property and Violation of the Minor Offense Act.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

Via the Marmot’s Hole comes this article posted on War is Boring by Kyle Mizokami who advocates for the removal of US troops from the Korean peninsula:

Imagine you possess the 15th-largest economy in the world. You have world-class cars and consumer goods, glittering streets and a lifestyle as good as any in the industrialized world.

Now, imagine you are being threatened by a hostile country one third as wealthy as Ethiopia.

Ethiopia.

In order to protect yourself from this economic juggernaut, you require the presence of nearly 30,000 American troops, the overpowering might of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and an American general to take charge in case this mighty opponent attacks
Laughable, right? Not at all. Welcome to South Korea.

It’s time for the United States to leave the Korean peninsula. South Korea can defend itself. [War is Boring]

You can read the rest at the link, but the removal of US troops from Korea is an issue that has been discussed repeatedly and will not happen as long as keeping USFK in place is in each country’s national interest.  I have posted about this issue long ago and these points are still valid:

• Korean economic impact
• Impact on foreign investment
• Korean defense spending
• Loss of Korean political influence in Washington
• Moderating American reactions to North Korea
• Political apathy
• Power of the status quo

As far as the US military goes the North Korean threat justifies maintaining certain budget levels in the Pacific and an additional four-star command.  For the US government USFK provides political influence with South Korea which prevents China from dominating South Korea’s foreign policy which has been the case for most of Korea’s history.

Then there is the nuclear weapons question.  If the US military withdraws it suddenly becomes in the national interest of the ROK to develop nuclear weapons to counter-North Korea.  If the ROK develops nuclear weapons would Japan do so as well?  To further compound this issue is that China would have to increase the amount of nuclear weapons they currently have to counter the US to also counter the ROK and possibly Japan.  A withdrawal of USFK could lead to a large nuclear arms race in the region.

Finally and most importantly people need to remember there hasn’t been a war on the Korean peninsula in over 60 years and there is a reason for that, USFK.  The US military is the strategic balancer in the region that is preventing one of the other three great powers from seeking hegemony over the region which has historically been the case.  Keeping a few thousand US troops on the Korean peninsula to maintain this balance is worth the cost to keep stability in such an economically important area of the world.  If someone wants to argue we have too many or not the right amount of troops in Korea I am open to that argument, but to completely remove USFK I do not see the benefit to the US or South Korea.

Anyone else have any other points they want to share on why the US military should or should not stay in South Korea?

Camp Walker became the first location in Korea to establish a monument in honor of Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Captain Emil Kapaun:

A chaplain who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for refusing to abandon troops during combat finally has been recognized with a monument in the country where he died more than six decades ago.

The dark gray granite stone, erected by U.S. Army Garrison Daegu in front of the Camp Walker chapel, includes an image of Capt. Emil Kapaun supporting an injured soldier and the inscription, “He paid the ultimate sacrifice and consecrated the soul of Korea.” The monument, about four feet tall, was unveiled Dec. 19.

It’s the first memorial on the Korean peninsula for Kapaun, who died in a prisoner of war camp in May 1951 after being captured at Unsan the previous November. Although U.S. forces were surrounded and ordered to evacuate, the Roman Catholic priest stayed behind to comfort the wounded, despite the certainty of capture, and made rounds even as hand-to-hand combat broke out between U.S. and Chinese troops.

“We need inspiration and motivation to continue to serve the country,” deputy garrison chaplain Maj. Moon Kim said of Kapaun’s legacy. “People get easily discouraged or demotivated. But we see those forefathers who have gone before us and died, and they inspire us.”

The chaplain, a native of Pilsen, Kan., was awarded the Medal of Honor in April 2013.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.

If these former prostitutes win this lawsuit it seems this would open up the flood gates for lawsuits against the government for all prostitutes that every worked in Korea since the government turned a blind eye to this activity for so long:

Attorneys for a group of former prostitutes who serviced U.S. troops decades ago argued Friday they should receive compensation because the South Korean government encouraged them to “work for their country.”

The 122 women are suing the government for $1.2 million and asking for an official apology and an investigation into a system of open prostitution that operated in the military camp towns surrounding U.S. bases for several decades after the Korean War. The women claim their human rights were violated. Their attorneys say documents show the national government, including a ministry overseeing health and social affairs, was directing local health centers to manage the women’s health care.

“The plaintiffs were not aware at the time that prostitution was illegal,” Ui Eun-jin, one of several attorneys for the women, said during the first hearing in the case. “They were being educated that this was work for their country and an act of patriotism.”

Ha Ju-hee, another attorney for the women, said the national government had designated specific areas for the women to practice prostitution, forced them to register with health clinics, get regular health checkups and then treatment if they were found to have sexually transmitted diseases.

“The state caused the plaintiffs pain, so the state has a duty to compensate them,” she said, adding that the national government also praised the women for earning U.S. dollars. South Korea was desperately poor after the Korean War, and American currency was seen as a way to build up its struggling economy.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but the club system many of these women found themselves locked into all those years ago has been well documented in books such as this one.  Here is an example of the boards that were put up warning GIs back then of girls with STDs:

So it was pretty clear that the Korean government in cooperation with the US military back then regulated the prostitution industry outside of the US military bases.  With that said the prostitutes in the camptowns are just a tiny fraction of the total number of prostitutes in Korea over the years that the government also turned a blind eye to.  What is especially reprehensible about this is that many of these women were sold into the club system by their parents who were looking for money to support their families during Korea’s era of poverty before today’s economic miracle.  There is a lot of blame to go around in regards to all the prostitution in Korea, not just outside the US military bases.

I wonder if the juicy bar owners are the ones pushing the mayor to make these complaints because they are the ones currently losing big money due to USFK’s decision to ban servicemembers from giving money to juicy girls:

The mayor of a city near the North Korean border is seeking $2.7 billion from the South Korean government, claiming the delayed relocation of American troops from Dongducheon is hurting the local economy and redevelopment plans.

City officials say Mayor Oh Se-chang told Defense Minister Han Min-koo that if Dongducheon — home to camps Casey and Hovey — doesn’t see some show of support from the government by the end of the year, the city will consider holding a large demonstration and a nonbinding referendum on whether U.S. troops should remain there.

Approximately 5,900 soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Area I, which extends from just north and east of Seoul up to the Demilitarized Zone.

“If U.S. troops want to stay in Dongducheon, they should be of help to the local economy or all of them should go away,” a city official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. He said troops should be spending more money at off-post Korean-owned businesses instead of shopping solely at post exchanges or other on-base facilities.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but basically the mayor just wants to get paid off by the national government to keep quiet.  Also of interest in the article is that a spokesman said that Camp Casey is now scheduled to be handed back over to the local government in the 2020 timeframe.  I will believe that when I see it.

Here is the latest US military unit that will be rotating into South Korea:

The U.S. Army has approved the rotational deployment of the 2nd Squadron of the 6th Cavalry Regiment from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to Korea’s Camp Humphreys in January 2015, the 8th Army said Friday.

“This regiment will deploy and conduct operations in support of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and 8th Army, enhancing the capabilities of USFK in support of the ROK-U.S. Alliance,” the statement said.

The 2-6th Cavalry Regiment is replacing the 6th Squadron of the 17th Cavalry Regiment, which is returning to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.

Via a reader tip comes news that Yongsan Garrison will have some visitors looking to find evidence of oil leakage from Yongsan Garrision:

South Korea and the United States agreed Tuesday to allow local environmental experts to conduct a field study on a U.S. military base in central Seoul suspected of polluting groundwater and its nearby land.

The Yongsan Garrison is suspected of being the source of leaking oil that has polluted at least 12,000 square meters of land and more than 7 million liters of underground water since 2001 when the first oil spill was reported.

The agreement was reached at the latest Joint Committee meeting on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) aimed at discussing an array of issues governing the legal status of 28,500 U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.

To address the suspected oil leakage, both sides formed a joint working group consisting of officials from Seoul’s environment ministry, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government in June last year.

“The two sides agreed to allow Korea’s environmental experts to visit the garrison in the near term for a field inspection into possible pollution sources,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “They shared the view that the move will contribute to the fundamental resolution of the matter.”

Seoul has made repeated requests to the U.S. for its cooperation with the inspection of the garrison, which have been long ignored by the U.S. Under the SOFA, the South Korean government can investigate USFK bases only if permission is granted.  [Yonhap]

This inspection is really nothing unprecedented because when the camps in the 2nd Infantry Division closed out almost ten years ago the environmental ministry and NGO types visited those camps as well.  What is going on with Yongsan is that there has been oil found dripping in the subway lines, but no one has been able to confirm where it is coming from and the Korean government believes it is coming from Yongsan Garrison.

Anyway here is how the article ends with a topic that has absolutely nothing to do with the oil spill issue:

Concerning crimes committed by U.S. forces stationed here, South Korea asked the U.S. to tighten discipline among its soldiers at end-year, the ministry said.

Crimes committed by U.S. servicemen have declined, but sex and drug-related crimes rose between 2011 and 2013, the ministry added. In response, the U.S. said it will sternly deal with any kinds of sex crimes, vowing to cooperate with Seoul over crimes by U.S. soldiers.

South Korean authorities have often failed to take legal action against U.S. soldiers as the SOFA regulations allow the suspects to be handed over to U.S. authorities.

Having compiled these stats in the past I do not trust any GI crime statistics put out by Koreans which are often inflated.  With that said that I am sure that drug crimes have risen because of the crackdown the ROK has done on inspecting US mail.  There has been plenty of idiot soldiers caught in the past few years sending drugs through the mail.