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Life at Camp Palan: UFL-03 participants make themselves at home

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 8/25/2003

Story by Sgt. Reina A. Barnett

CAMP PALAN, Republic of Korea(Aug. 24, 2003) -- The old cliché, "Home is what you make it," seems apropos for the personnel living aboard Camp Palan.

Home to nearly 300 men and women, Camp Palan, Republic of Korea, was transformed from a soccer field at the R.O.K. Marine Corps Headquarters to a fully functioning, stand-alone tent city; capable of housing, feeding and entertaining its occupants.

The smooth transition from the shores of Hawaii to the South Korean peninsula for Ulchi Focus Lens 2003 was made possible by Col. William Febuary, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific; Capt. Michael McDaniel, Camp Palan commandant and Staff Sgt. Jesus Ramos, Camp Palan gunnery sergeant.

Camp Palan was up and running by the time the main body arrived Aug. 13. It was not obvious that the gear arrived not more than 24 hours earlier. The quick turnaround was directly attributed to the hard work of the personnel here.

"There were a lot of moving parts, and the planning phase for UFL-03 began at the beginning of the year," said Ramos.

Built to house 220 to 250 people, adjustments had to be made with the increased influx of personnel arriving at Camp Palan.

"It took some time, but in order to accommodate more personnel, we made some changes to the original layout of Camp Palan, and we did it," remarked Ramos, "The Marines did it!"

Marines from 3rd Marine Division, Marine Forces Korea and Marine Forces Pacific are some of the UFL-03 participants living at Camp Palan.

Soldiers from the 498th Combat Service Bn., 473rd Quarter Master Co., set up laundry and shower facilities, with help from the 22nd Korean Service Corps Co. They also provided entertainment for camp residents, setting up the morale, welfare and recreation tent.

The MWR tent offered a number of activities, ranging from an internet café to watching the latest movies on a big-screen TV. Phones were set up for more personal calls to loved ones, and a variety of board games and reading materials were also available.

Army Pfc. Gema Acosta, laundry, shower and textile specialist, 473rd Quarter Master Co., said, "I was thinking 30 days in the field would be horrible, but it's not that bad. The tents are comfortable and using the MWR tent is nice."

The 348th Quarter Master Bn., supplied Camp Palan with generators, water, fuel and logistical support, such as computer and telephone connectivity.

"We have a pretty good set up here," said Army Sgt. Nigel Towler, laundry, shower and textile specialist, 473rd Quarter Master Co., "It's a whole lot different than what we're accustomed to. The clients are different; Marines are very organized."

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) also provided their support for UFL-03. Four barbers brought their chairs to the camp, set up in their own tent and offered haircuts to Marines. The barber tent also offered full-body massages and facials.

"Here we have Marines with high morale," said MarForPac HQSVCBN Sgt. Maj. Juan Williams. "We provide these services to them with flexible hours, so they are able to utilize these services even after working a 12-hour shift."

The camp also contracted a liberty shuttle for personnel aboard Camp Palan, differing from last year, when Marines from motor transport provided the transportation to and from Osan. This year, the 45-minute bus ride into town was on an air-conditioned luxury bus, with reclining seats and a television set, which made for a comfortable trip.

"It was a lot easier to contract the shuttle service out, instead of having Marines drive to and from Osan, enabling the them to stay at camp and accomplish the mission they have here," said Sgt. Maj. Williams.

"It's working perfectly," added Ramos.

In addition to everything Camp Palan and Osan have to offer, MWR has two tours of the demilitarized zone planned for personnel participating in UFL. The tours have filled up rapidly and are one of the more popular attractions when coming to South Korea.

"For some Marines, this is their first trip to Korea, and we want to provide them with every opportunity to explore what South Korea has to offer," said Sgt. Maj. Williams. "We are planning a trip to the Korean Historical Battle site. We want to give priority to our junior enlisted first, so they can see the significance of our relationship with South Korea, especially our Marine counterparts."

Lance Cpl. Delvin Brown, a military policeman assigned to Military Police Co., Marine Corps Base Hawaii, said, "This is the modern way of going to the field. Air conditioning and washing machines in the field is a first for me. They've put a lot of money into this set up."

Sergeant Maj. Williams summed up what he thought of Camp Palan by saying, "Camp Palan is very self-sufficient; it is above and beyond what you see in a "normal" field environment. We have set this up as an expeditionary camp. The advance party did an outstanding job!"