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Air War Korea, 1950-53

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Air War Korea, 1950-53 This extensive chronology recalls key events in the first war fought by the independent US Air Force. Air War Korea, 1950–53 1950 o commemorate the Korean War, the US June 25: North Korea invaded South Korea. Simultaneously, North Korean troops made an amphibious landing at Kangnung Air Force Historian commissioned Air on the east coast just south of the 38th parallel. North Korean Force Historical Research Agency to com- fighter aircraft attacked airfields at Kimpo and Seoul, the South T Korean capital, destroying one USAF C-54 on the ground at pile a chronology of significant events in USAF’s Kimpo. operations. The result was “The US Air Force’s John J. Muccio, US ambassador to South Korea, relayed to President Harry S. Truman a South Korean request for US air First War: Korea 1950–1953,” edited by A. Timothy assistance and ammunition. The UN Security Council unani- Warnock. What follows is a condensed version. mously called for a cease-fire and withdrawal of the North Korean Army to north of the 38th parallel. The resolution asked all UN members to support the withdrawal of the NKA and to render no assistance to North Korea. Note: Each entry uses the local date, which, in Two 7th Fighter–Bomber Squadron F-84s, laden with Maj. Gen. Earle E. Partridge, who was commander, 5th Air bombs and fuel, just clear the end of the runway at Taegu at theater, was one day later than in the US. Dates Force, but serving as acting commander of Far East Air Forces (FEAF), ordered wing commanders to prepare for air evacuation the start of a 1952 mission. separated by a hyphen indicate that an entry of US citizens from South Korea. He increased aerial surveil- covers events from one date through a second lance of Tsushima Strait between Korea and Japan. The 20th Air Force placed two squadrons of the 51st Fighter–Interceptor date. Two dates separated by a slash indicate Wing (FIW) on air defense alert in Japan. events occurred at night. June 26: North Koreans captured Chunchon, Pochon, and Tongduchon, South Korea. The US Seventh Fleet sailed north from the Philippines. South Korea requested 10 F-51s from the US Air Force to supplement the South Korean air force’s AT-6s and liaison-type airplanes. In continued preparation for air evacuation of US citizens from Korea, FEAF traded C-54s for C- 47s from all over the Far East, because the latter could land on smaller airfields. USAF SB-17 aircraft provided rescue cover for the initial evacuation by sea of US citizens from Seoul. Beginning in the early morning, 682 people boarded the Norwegian merchant ship Reinholte, which finally left Inchon Harbor at 4:30 p.m., bound for Sasebo, Japan. F-82G Twin Mustang fighters of the 68th Fighter All-Weather Squadron (FAWS) provided air cover for freighters, including the Reinholte. Fifth Air Force also flew escort and surveillance sorties, some over the straits between Japan and Korea and some over the Seoul area. June 27: The UN Security Council called on all UN members to aid South Korea. President Truman directed US air and sea forces to assist South Korea, and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief, Far East Command, ordered FEAF to attack North Korean units south of the 38th parallel. Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, commander, FEAF, who was in the United States when the war broke out, returned to Japan. (Partridge then served as acting FEAF vice commander until July 7.) FEAF used Kimpo airfield, near Seoul, and Suwon airfield, some 20 miles south of Seoul, for emergency air evacu- ation of 748 persons to Japan on C-54s, C-47s, and C-46s. Photo courtesy Don Baker via Warren Thompson Cargo aircraft 36 AIR FORCE Magazine / October 2000 AIR FORCE Magazine / October 2000 37 This extensive chronology recalls key events in the first war fought by the independent US Air Force. Air War Korea, 1950–53 1950 o commemorate the Korean War, the US June 25: North Korea invaded South Korea. Simultaneously, North Korean troops made an amphibious landing at Kangnung Air Force Historian commissioned Air on the east coast just south of the 38th parallel. North Korean Force Historical Research Agency to com- fighter aircraft attacked airfields at Kimpo and Seoul, the South T Korean capital, destroying one USAF C-54 on the ground at pile a chronology of significant events in USAF’s Kimpo. operations. The result was “The US Air Force’s John J. Muccio, US ambassador to South Korea, relayed to President Harry S. Truman a South Korean request for US air First War: Korea 1950–1953,” edited by A. Timothy assistance and ammunition. The UN Security Council unani- Warnock. What follows is a condensed version. mously called for a cease-fire and withdrawal of the North Korean Army to north of the 38th parallel. The resolution asked all UN members to support the withdrawal of the NKA and to render no assistance to North Korea. Note: Each entry uses the local date, which, in Two 7th Fighter–Bomber Squadron F-84s, laden with Maj. Gen. Earle E. Partridge, who was commander, 5th Air bombs and fuel, just clear the end of the runway at Taegu at theater, was one day later than in the US. Dates Force, but serving as acting commander of Far East Air Forces (FEAF), ordered wing commanders to prepare for air evacuation the start of a 1952 mission. separated by a hyphen indicate that an entry of US citizens from South Korea. He increased aerial surveil- covers events from one date through a second lance of Tsushima Strait between Korea and Japan. The 20th Air Force placed two squadrons of the 51st Fighter–Interceptor date. Two dates separated by a slash indicate Wing (FIW) on air defense alert in Japan. events occurred at night. June 26: North Koreans captured Chunchon, Pochon, and Tongduchon, South Korea. The US Seventh Fleet sailed north from the Philippines. South Korea requested 10 F-51s from the US Air Force to supplement the South Korean air force’s AT-6s and liaison-type airplanes. In continued preparation for air evacuation of US citizens from Korea, FEAF traded C-54s for C- 47s from all over the Far East, because the latter could land on smaller airfields. USAF SB-17 aircraft provided rescue cover for the initial evacuation by sea of US citizens from Seoul. Beginning in the early morning, 682 people boarded the Norwegian merchant ship Reinholte, which finally left Inchon Harbor at 4:30 p.m., bound for Sasebo, Japan. F-82G Twin Mustang fighters of the 68th Fighter All-Weather Squadron (FAWS) provided air cover for freighters, including the Reinholte. Fifth Air Force also flew escort and surveillance sorties, some over the straits between Japan and Korea and some over the Seoul area. June 27: The UN Security Council called on all UN members to aid South Korea. President Truman directed US air and sea forces to assist South Korea, and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief, Far East Command, ordered FEAF to attack North Korean units south of the 38th parallel. Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, commander, FEAF, who was in the United States when the war broke out, returned to Japan. (Partridge then served as acting FEAF vice commander until July 7.) FEAF used Kimpo airfield, near Seoul, and Suwon airfield, some 20 miles south of Seoul, for emergency air evacu- ation of 748 persons to Japan on C-54s, C-47s, and C-46s. Photo courtesy Don Baker via Warren Thompson Cargo aircraft 36 AIR FORCE Magazine / October 2000 AIR FORCE Magazine / October 2000 37 assigned to the 374th Troop Carrier Wing (TCW) and FEAF Using RB-29 aircraft, the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squad- headquarters accomplished the airlift, escorted by F-82s, F-80 ron (SRS) (Photographic) also started operations over Korea jet fighters, and B-26 light bombers. from Yokota AB, Japan. Fifth Air Force embarked on a mission to establish air superi- June 30: President Truman ordered the use of US ground ority over South Korea, partially to prevent the North Korean air troops in Korea and a naval blockade of North Korea. The Royal force from attacking South Korean forces and to protect evacu- Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 77 Squadron arrived in Korea to ation forces. When North Korean aircraft appeared over Kimpo support 5th Air Force, to which it was subsequently attached. and Suwon airfields, the USAF aircraft flying air cover engaged North Korean forces reached Samchock on the east coast and in the enemy in the first air battle of the war. Maj. James W. Little, the west crossed the Han River, threatening Suwon airfield. commander, 339th FAWS, fired the first shot. Lt. William G. FEAF began evacuation of the airfield and authorized improve- Hudson, 68th FAWS, flying an F-82, with Lt. Carl Fraser as his ment of Kumhae airfield, 11 miles northwest of Pusan, to com- radar observer, scored the first aerial victory. In all, six USAF pensate for the presumed loss of Kimpo and Suwon. The first 5th pilots shot down over Kimpo seven North Korean propeller- Air Force Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs) arrived at Suwon. driven fighters, the highest number of USAF aerial victories in B-26s from the 3rd BG strafed, bombed, and rocketed enemy one day for all of 1950. troops and traffic in the Seoul area. One flight hit a stalled enemy Fifth Air Force B-26s, flying from Ashiya AB, Japan, attacked column. Fifteen B-29s attacked railroad bridges, tanks, trucks, enemy targets in South Korea in the evening, but bad weather and troop concentrations on the north bank of the Han River in made the raids ineffective.
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