That will require the command to devise war plans, prepare for contingencies, and organize a staff to control forces across the full spectrum of military operations.
In addition, the headquarters of the army in the Pacific is preparing to assume command of army forces in South Korea, which are gradually being reduced and may eventually be largely withdrawn. Plans call for dismantling or shrinking the UN Command in Seoul that dates back to the Korean War that ended in 1953.
The army also plans to transfer the Eighth Army headquarters from Seoul to Hawaii and to turn back to the South Koreans control of their forces commanded today by a joint US-South Korea headquarters. The four-star American general's post in Seoul would move to Hawaii.
Military officers say this could happen by 2008 or any time after.
The official line is that the threat from North Korea must lessen and stability come to the Korean Peninsula first. The unofficial betting is that rising anti-Americanism in Seoul will cause that move to be made sooner than later.
Richard Halloran is a writer based in Hawaii.
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