AAFES gas station to open soon at Camp Humphreys
By Franklin Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, December 9, 2008
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — Camp Humphreys residents who have made the half-hour drive to Osan Air Base to gas up at the AAFES pumps won’t have to do that anymore.
The first Army and Air Force Exchange Service gas station at Camp Humphreys will open for business this week.
Officials had planned to open it Friday, but the need to replace a part in a fuel dispenser delayed that plan, said George B. Ricker, AAFES general manager at Humphreys.
Until now, the only gas on post has been at the military fuel point, where prices are often well above those at AAFES stations on the peninsula.
That’s because AAFES sets its overseas fuel prices based on changes in the United States, and adjusts them monthly. But the fuel point’s prices are set by the Defense Logistics Agency, with less frequent adjustments.
At quarterly town hall meetings and in other venues, Humphreys residents have continually expressed eagerness to have an AAFES gas station on post.
"When I arrived here, in the first town hall I went to, it was the number one request from the community," said Ricker. "They were asking for an AAFES gas station, so we’re happy to bring it to them."
Last week, a gallon of unleaded gas at the military fuel point was $3.09, while a gallon of AAFES unleaded was $1.98, Ricker said.
The new station is near the intersection of Freedom and Victory roads, near the Humphreys Army Lodge.
It’ll sell premium and unleaded gas, and diesel fuel.
Customers can pay at the pump with a credit card or pay inside a small building that will also sell snacks and other items.
At least two more AAFES gas stations are planned for Camp Humphreys. The next will be built in the Zoeckler Station area of post sometime within the next four years, Ricker said.
A third will go up on land where the post is slated to gradually expand. The construction date is yet to be determined.
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