Life 'warmed up' for war at US military base near North Korea

All soldiers stationed at the US military base Camp Humphreys in South Korea are preparing for a possible military conflict with North Korea as regional tensions show no signs of abating.

US soldiers at Camp Humphreys regularly participate in training exercises to prepare for conflict scenarios (Photo: ABC News)

As the Trump administration continues to issue stern warnings and does not rule out military options with North Korea, US troops stationed at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, are on standby for a possible conflict on the Korean Peninsula at any time. Humphreys is a massive $11 billion military base and the largest US military base abroad.

Located just 120 km from the southern border of North Korea, Camp Humphreys is considered a logistics center, a military headquarters and an important link in the US's combat plans when dealing with North Korea - a country that has declared to have achieved complete nuclear capabilities. Humphreys is also considered a miniature American city on the Korean peninsula with modern infrastructure.

Ready to fight “tonight”

Petty Officer Mary Myers. Photo: ABC News

At 6 a.m., while the sky was still foggy and cold, thousands of soldiers stationed at Camp Humphreys were still busy conducting daily training exercises to prepare for conflict scenarios. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated, the entire camp was put on full alert.

“This is what we’ve been training for all this time. We’re totally focused on the mission and ready for war,” said Petty Officer Mary Myers.

In a spacious apartment inside Camp Humphreys, Mary Myers wakes her children up to get ready for school. Mary, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and now the conflict on the Korean Peninsula could be the biggest war of her military career. Mary says the soldiers at Humphreys are ready.

A new shopping mall has opened at Camp Humphreys. Photo: ABC News

If conflict broke out, Mary's children would be evacuated within hours, and she would be summoned immediately.

“All we do now is focus on ‘let’s fight tonight’ and that’s it. Then leave the kids and fight!” Mary told ABC News.

There are currently about 25,000 Americans living at Camp Humphreys, including soldiers, their families and contractors, a number that is expected to increase to 42,000 by 2020. Schools for the children of soldiers stationed at Humphreys are also built on the grounds of this barracks.

After dropping her children off at one of Humphreys’ six schools, Mary commutes to her job. The officer says having her family around makes her a better soldier.

“If you take care of your soldiers' families, they will take care of you. The commanders understand this,” Mary said.

The "deadliest" plane

US soldiers inspect the Apache helicopter. Photo: ABC News

If war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, Camp Humphreys would be the command center for intelligence and communications, so much of the offensive weaponry at the base is kept secret. Apache attack helicopters are one of the few combat vehicles ABC News reporters have access to at Humphreys.

“They are by far the most advanced aircraft in the world. This most lethal aircraft is capable of hitting targets on any battlefield in any conditions,” said Warrant Officer Rocky Myers, who is in charge of a squadron of 23 Apaches.

If conflict occurs, Apache helicopters will be deployed in the first wave of attacks against North Korea. According to Warrant Officer Myers, Apache is a helicopter that operates with the support of computer technology and is strong in search and destroy operations, so North Korea cannot "rival" this US weapon system.

“We must always be ready to support commanders at all levels to be able to “fight tonight” and maintain the number one position (of the US) on the Korean peninsula,” Mr. Myers emphasized.

With exercises and training going on 24 hours a day, life at Humphreys never seems to stop – as US Army spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Peggy Kageleiry once declared, “America is the most powerful fighting force in history.”

“We train for conflict at all times. Our mission is to be ready and we are executing that mission here. I am very confident in our ability to respond to conflict situations,” said Lt. Col. Peggy.

Don't get drunk

Soldiers at Humphreys are banned from some local bars. Photo: ABC News

As the life and welfare officer for the American soldiers at Camp Humphreys, NCO Mary Myers was tasked with reducing the unruly behavior of the American soldiers there. During a meeting, Myers asked her staff to remind the soldiers of the consequences of excessive drinking. Myers understood that even a single incident inside or outside the barracks would negatively affect the overall mission of the soldiers.

“We have to be ready to fight tonight, so they can’t be drunk. They have to have their phones with them at all times,” Myers said.

According to the US NCO, the reduction in alcohol consumption among soldiers has contributed significantly to controlling the aggressive behavior of soldiers due to excessive drinking. In addition, US soldiers at Humphreys must comply with curfews and are banned from visiting some local bars.

According to Dan Tri