在韓米軍
Hughes was promoted to colonel in June 1988 and took command of the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade (Red Dragons), an element of United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, providing direct support to United States Forces Korea (USFK) and to the military forces of the Republic of Korea. In July 1990, he became the executive officer to the Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Korea) / Combined Forces Command / United States Forces Korea.