A New Home
CNFK moves off base and into Busan
The streets are still damp with rain left the night before. As apartment lights begin to pierce the night sky, dawn is still hours away but the city of Busan is waking up.

The routine is business as usual for the 3.4 million people who call the port city home. But for Sailors of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), this routine is not usual at all.
For the first time since its creation in 1957, CNFK's headquarters is no longer on a U.S. base. After the shift to Busan in July of 2015, it became the only U.S. headquarters in Korea located on a Republic of Korea (ROK) base.
"Moving is always a challenge especially when our families are affected, but this move was the right decision," said Rear Adm. Bill Byrne, CNFK commander.
The move has also encouraged closer collaboration among the CNFK family members as those accustomed to the familiar facilities of Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul become acclimated to living in the local Busan community.
"There are challenges to living in a new city, especially one where the Navy is not established," said Senior Chief Operations Specialist Rodney Ham. "The cost of living is higher and we pay more for food because there is not a commissary nearby, but Busan has a good quality of life, the transportation is good, and we like the schools, so we enjoy being here."
For the first time since its creation in 1957, CNFK's headquarters is no longer on a U.S. base. After the shift to Busan in July of 2015, it became the only U.S. headquarters in Korea located on a Republic of Korea (ROK) base.
"Moving is always a challenge especially when our families are affected, but this move was the right decision," said Rear Adm. Bill Byrne, CNFK commander.
By being in Busan, we are literally right across the street from our ROK Navy partners, which facilitates closer cooperation and collaboration, and in turn increases the readiness of both navies."
- Rear Adm. Bill Byrne
The move has also encouraged closer collaboration among the CNFK family members as those accustomed to the familiar facilities of Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul become acclimated to living in the local Busan community.
"There are challenges to living in a new city, especially one where the Navy is not established," said Senior Chief Operations Specialist Rodney Ham. "The cost of living is higher and we pay more for food because there is not a commissary nearby, but Busan has a good quality of life, the transportation is good, and we like the schools, so we enjoy being here."