CP Oscar / Command Post Oscar
Command Post (CP) OSCAR is the warfighting headquarters for Eighth US Army (EUSA) and Armed Services Component Command (ASCC). For the Eighth US Army command staff, being able to communicate using Video Teleconferencing [VTC] in a timely manner from separate strategic locations is critical to the prompt execution of EUSA operations as well as the operation of military units scattered throughout US Forces Korea. The northern hub, based at CP Tango controls and distributes VTC slides and briefings and then forwards them down to the southern hub, based out of Camp Walker, which provides CP Oscar with the VTC. With up to 15 VTC sites on the Korean peninsula, it is vital that the operators have the VTC equipment operational for every scheduled and unscheduled brief that might arise. During wartime the soldiers in the Provost Marshall Office in Command Post Oscar are responsible for the monitoring and coordination of the entire Eighth US Army Military Police Brigade throughout the Korean Peninsula.
The dissemination and transmission of information is essential to the successful completion of every wartime mission. The soldiers of Company B, 307th Signal Battalion are responsible for the smooth and reliable transfer of communications in Command Post Oscar during Ulchi Focus Lens. They provide tactical communication for CP Oscar, and send communications to the rear and forward elements. They are responsible for the 140 phone lines operating within CP Oscar.
Eighth US Army Band personnel man the gate of Command Post Oscar. Their mission is to control the access of CP Oscar. We man the access roster and either let people in or not. They also bar the gate, watching for security violations and stay alert in case of bomb threats. All forms of recording devices and cellular phones are prohibited in CP unless authorized. The members of the EUSA Band are trained for this purpose before deployment because this is their wartime mission.
It is a six-hour bus ride from Seoul to Camp Walker. There is a 45-minute C-12 "Chogie" flight running twice a day from K-2 airfield, about 20-30 minutes from CP Oscar at Camp Walker, to K-16 airfield, about 45 minutes from Yongsan. The aircraft seats eight people. The flight’s mission is to move people, bags and supplies as rapidly as possible. This transportation method is considerably less expensive dollar wise for the military than a C-47 or Blackhawk. These flights are essential for Ulchi Focus Lens with operations out of Command Post Tango, since a transportation link between CPs is important. Also, people go back and forth for meetings and VIPs come down for one day, and it is not always feasible for them to transport back and forth by vehicle. The flight is available to all Department of Defense servicemembers, civilians and family members. Reservations made at least a day in advance are preferable. The flight is space available, and rank has priority.
