United States Air Force aircraft of the Korean War

The Korean War (1950-1953) was the first shooting war for the newly independent United States Air Force. The war saw the beginning of the jet age. U.S. jet aircraft for the first time entered into battle. Air Force F-86s maintained control of the air, as American fighter pilots bested Soviet-built MiG-15 fighters in combat against aircraft, Soviet tactics, and, on some occasions, Soviet pilots.

On the other side of the coin, Korea marked the end of the line for major use of prop-driven combat aircraft of the active-duty USAF, the exception being specialized use of various counterinsurgency aircraft (A-1 Skyraider, A-26A Invader) by the 56th Special Operations Wing which were flown over Laos during the Vietnam War. (The F-51 was used by some ANG units until the late 1950s). The Korean War was the last (and only) time large numbers of piston-engine and jet-engine aircraft shared the wartime skies. Also, it was the last US major war without at least some space support.

Although President Truman wasn't willing to risk extensive use of the U.S. bomber force, which was being used as a deterrent for possible Soviet aggression in Europe, a few groups of B-29 bombers — that were not part of the nuclear strike force — were released. They wreaked havoc on North Korean military installations, government centers and transportation networks. Jets conducted interdiction strikes on supply lines, attacked dams that irrigated North Korea's rice crops and flew missions in close support of United Nations ground forces. AT-6 Mosquitoes, used as airborne controllers, provided communication links between ground troops and supporting aircraft.

Durig the war, USAF aircraft operated from both North and South Korea, along with Japan and Okinawa. With the end of fighting in Korea, President Eisenhower, who had taken office in January 1953, called for a "new look" at national defense. The result: a greater reliance on nuclear weapons and air power to deter war. His administration chose to invest in the Air Force, especially Strategic Air Command. The nuclear arms race shifted into high gear.

What follows is an accounting of the major aircraft flown by the USAF in the conflict, the units which flew them, and known bases they operated from.

Fighter Aircraft

• North American F-51D Mustang
  F-51Ds, though obsolete as fighters, were better suited to the small airstrips of Korea than were the F-80s and F-82s based in Japan. Japan-based F-51Ds were immediately transferred to Korea and pressed into service in an attempt to halt the rapid North Korean advance. They were called on to carry the brunt of air support missions during these difficult early days of the war, since the jet aircraft of the day did not have enough range to permit sufficient loiter time over the target. Although their primary mission was close support, USAF Mustangs did manage to shoot down a few North Korean Yaks when these aircraft made their infrequent appearances. When Mustangs were jumped by Chinese-piloted MiG-15 jet fighters, however, they were faced with an opponent with a far superior performance. When this happened, there was little the Mustangs could do save to try to turn inside the MiGs, hit the deck, and run for home. When the P-51 was used for ground attack, their performance was less of a concern than their ability to carry a load. A substantial number were fitted with rockets and bombs. The Mustangs were instrumental in halting the North Korean advance, giving United Nations forces enough time to build up sufficient strength to be able to go over onto the offensive. RF-51s were used for reconnaissance

  Units deployed:

  • 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-9 Pusan East AB, K-13 Suwon AB, K-10 Chinhae AB, K-46 Hoengsong AB, K-55 Osan-ni AB; North Korea: K-24 Pyongyang East Afld; Japan: Ashiya AB)
  • 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-8 Kunsan AB; Japan: Tsuiki AB)
  • 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RF-51)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-14 Kimpo AB; Japan: Komaki AB)
  • 543rd Tactical Support Group (RF-51)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Itazuke AB, Komaki AB)

• Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star
  The Shooting Star was operated extensively in Korea with the F-80C being instrumental in quickly gaining and maintaining air superiority over the Korean battlefield, rapidly clearing the skies of any North Korean aircraft that dared to venture into the air. The first jet versus jet aircraft battle took place on 8 November 1950 in which an F-80 shot down a MiG-15. However, the straight-wing F-80s were inferior in performance to the MiGs and were soon replaced in the air superiority role by the swept-wing F-86 Sabre. When sufficient Sabres were in operation, the Shooting Star was assigned to ground attack missions, primarily for low-level rocket, bomb, and napalm attacks on fixed targets. The Shooting Stars were superseded by later types as the Korean War proceeded. By the time of the armistice agreement of July 27, 1953, the only Shooting Stars still flying combat missions in Korea were RF-80As being used for reconnaissance.

  Units deployed:

  • 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-13 Suwon AB, K-14 Kimpo AB; Japan: Johnson AB)
  • 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-16 Seoul AB, K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; North Korea: K-21 Pyongyang; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-1 Pusan AB;North Korea: K-27 Yonpo; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-8 Kunsan AB; Japan: Tsuiki AB)
  • 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; Japan: Itazuke AB, Tsuiki AB)
  • 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RF-80)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-14 Kimpo AB; Japan: Komaki AB)

• North American F-82F/G Twin Mustang
  Based in Japan, the F-82s were among the first USAF aircraft to operate over Korea. They were the only fighter aircraft available with the range to cover the entire Korean peninsula from bases in Japan. The first three North Korean airplanes destroyed by US forces were shot down by F-82s on June 27, 1950. However, the F-82 played a secondary role in Korea as compared with its distinguished predecessor, the single-engined F-51. The Twin Mustang saw extensive service in Korea initially for counterair and ground attack work, but their importance as night fighters caused them to be used mostly for defense purposes. 1951 was the last full year of F-82 operations in Korea, as a shortage of spare parts limited their operations along with them being replaced by the jet-powered F-94 Starfire. Twin Mustangs destroyed 20 enemy aircraft, four in the air and 16 on the ground during the conflict. By summer 1952, the last surviving Korean War veteran F-82s were withdrawn from combat.

  Units deployed:

  • 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-16 Seoul AB, K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; North Korea: K-21 Pyongyang; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-1 Pusan AB;North Korea: K-27 Yonpo; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; Japan: Itazuke AB, Tsuiki AB)
  • 347th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (Japan: Nagoya AB)

• Republic F-84E Thunderjet
  The F-84 arrived in Korea in December 1950. Initially assigned to B-29 escort duties, however, the straight-winged F-84E was much too slow to match the swept-wing MiG-15, and MiGs were often able to slip through the escort screen and make successful attacks on B-29s. The F-84s soon gained fame in ground attack operations. F-84s were used to attack enemy airfields and even large targets like irrigation dams. The F-84 gained renown for daily attacks with bombs, rockets, and napalm on enemy railroads, bridges, supply depots, and troop concentrations. Perhaps the two most spectacular Thunderjet operations of the Korean War were the attacks on the Toksan irrigation dam on May 13, 1953, and the raid on the Chusan irrigation dam three days later. While unable to cope with the MiG-15 at high altitude, they were more effective at medium or low altitudes and scored several kills. RF-84s were used for reconnaissance.

  Units deployed:

  • 27th Fighter-Escort Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Yokota AB, Itazuke AB)
  • 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-8 Kunsan AB; Japan: Tsuiki AB)
  • 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (RF-84)
    (Japan: Johnson AB, Yokota AB)
  • 116th Fighter Bomber Wing (Federalized Air National Guard)
    Consisted of the following ANG squadrons: 158th (Georgia), 159th (Florida), 196th (California)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Misawa AB)
  • 136th Fighter Bomber Wing (Federalized Texas Air National Guard)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 474th Fighter Bomber Wing (Absorbed Air National Guard 116th FBW)
    (South Korea: K-8 Kunsan AB, K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Misawa AB)

• North American F-86A/E/F Sabre
  The F-86 Sabre survived many initial teething problems to become the premier USAF fighter of the Korean War. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs, with a loss of only 76 Sabres-a victory ratio of 10-to-1. Later models of the F-86 were more powerful and used both for air-to-air and ground support. The RF-86 was used for reconnaissance.

  Units deployed:

  • 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-16 Seoul AB, K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; North Korea: K-21 Pyongyang; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-8 Kunsan AB; Japan: Tsuiki AB)
  • 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; Japan: Itazuke AB, Tsuiki AB)
  • 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RF-86)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-14 Kimpo AB; Japan: Komaki AB)

• Lockheed F-94B Starfire
  Because it carried a highly secret airborne radar system, the F-94s were at first not permitted to fly deep into enemy territory. Ironically, the F-94 radar was not very effective on night missions against MiGs. However, mounting losses of B-29 bombers following the Chinese and North Korean development of night interception tactics finally led to the lifting of this restriction in January of 1953.

  Units deployed:

  • 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing
    (South Korea: K-16 Seoul AB, K-14 Kimpo AB, K-13 Suwon AB; North Korea: K-21 Pyongyang; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
    (South Korea: K-1 Pusan AB; North Korea: K-27 Yonpo; Japan: Itazuke AB)
  • 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
    (South Korea: K-13 Suwon AB)

Bomber Aircraft

• Douglas B-26 Invader
  When the North Korean army invaded the South on June 25, 1950, the USAF was critically short of light bombers. The B-26 Invaders in Japan proved to be invaluable in the night interdiction role, and it fell to the B-26 to fly the first and the last bombing missions of the Korean War. Their first mission was on June 28, 1950 when they attacked railroads supplying enemy forces. Their first attack against North Korea was on June 29, when they bombed the main airfield in Pyongyang. The Invaders flew some 60,000 sorties and were credited with the destruction of 38,500 vehicles, 3,700 railway cars, and 406 locomotives. The B-26 had the honor of flying the last combat sortie of the Korean War, when, 24 minutes before the cease fire went into effect on July 27, 1953 a B-26 of the 3rd BW dropped the last bombs of the Korean war. The bombers were also used for reconnaissance, as RB-26s.

  Units deployed:

  • 3rd Bombardment Wing
    (South Korea: K-8 Kunsan AB; Japan: Johnson AB, Yokota AB, Iwakuni, AB)
  • 17th Bombardment Wing
    (South Korea: K-9 Pusan-East AB)
  • 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RB-26)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB, K-14 Kimpo AB; Japan: Komaki AB)
  • 452d Bombardment Wing (USAF Reserves)
    (South Korea: K-9 Pusan East; Japan: Itazuke AB, Miho AB)
  • 543rd Tactical Support Group (RB-26)
    (South Korea: K-37 Taegu AB; Japan: Itazuke AB, Komaki AB)

• Boeing B-29 Superfortress
  By 1950, the B-29s had been reclassified as "medium" bombers, their long-range strategic mission having been taken over by the B-36 and B-50. Many aircraft were retrieved from postwar storage and refurbished. Up to early 1951, in the absence of organized defenses, B-29s had been able to make bombing runs at altitudes as low as 10,000 feet without any danger. However, on February 25, four B-29s on a raid against Sunchon were attacked by eight MiG-15s. Unescorted raids at low altitudes now became extremely dangerous. Consequently, the missions were now flown at 20,000 feet, defensive formations were used, and fighter escort was provided by F-80C and F-84E aircraft. These fighters were ineffective against the MiG-15, and coordination between the bombers and fighters was often poor. On February 25, four B-29s on a raid against Sunchon were attacked by eight MiG-15s. On March 1, a Superfortress formation was jumped by nine MiGs On April 12, a force of 48 B-29s attacking the railroad bridge linking Korea with Antung, Manchuria were attacked by dozens of MiGs, and three B-29s were shot down and seven were damaged. Thereafter, it was confined to night bombing against strategic and tactical targets. B-29s flew on all but 21 days of the 37-month war. At least 16 B-29s were shot down over North Korea, and as many as 48 were lost in crash landings or written off because of heavy damage after returning to base. When the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953, the B-29s had flown over 21,000 sorties, nearly 167,000 tons of bombs had been dropped, and 34 B-29s had been lost in combat (16 to fighters, four to flak, and fourteen to other causes). B-29 gunners had accounted for 34 Communist fighters (16 of these being MiG-15s) probably destroyed another 17 (all MiG-15s) and damaged 11 (all MiG-15s). Losses were less than 1 per 1000 sorties. The bombers were also used as reconnaissance (RB-29), weather (WB-29), and rescue aircraft (SB-29).

  Units deployed:

  • 3rd Air Rescue Group (SB-29)
    (Japan: Johnson AB)
  • 19th Bombardment Group
    (Guam: Andersen AFB; Okinawa: Kadena AB)
  • 22d Bombardment Group
    (Okinawa: Kadena AB)
  • 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (RB-29)
    (Okinawa: Kadena AB, Japan: Kadena AB, Johnson AB)
  • 56th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, Weather (WB-29)
    (Japan: Misawa AB, Yokota AB)
  • 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, Photographic (RB-29)
    (Japan: Johnson AB, Yokota AB)
  • 92d Bombardment Group
    (Japan: Yokota AB)
  • 98th Bombardment Group
    (Japan: Yokota AB)
  • 307th Bombardment Group
    (Okinawa: Kadena AB)
  • 512th Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Weather (WB-29)
    (Japan: Yokota AB, Misawa AB)

Cargo/Transport Aircraft

• Curtiss C-46 Commando
  The World War II C-46 saw additional service during the Korean War being designed to carry troops or equipment and filled an airlift role in Korea, supplying everything from aircraft engines, ammunition, medical supplies, rations, and fresh fruit. The outbreak of the Korean War caught the US unprepared and scrambling for resources. C-46s were pulled out of mothballs or even bought back from commercial operators, and put into round-the-clock use with the USAF Combat Cargo Command. The C-46 was also used to spray insecticide over some parts of South Korea and to drop psychological warfare leaflets over North Korea.

  Units deployed:

  • 1st Troop Carrier Group (Provisional)
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 315th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Brady AB)
  • 374th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 437th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Brady AB)
  • 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB, Ashiya AB)

• Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrain
  Officially known as Skytrain but affectionately referred to as "Gooney Bird," the C-47 served in Korea as it had during World War II. During the Korean War, the C-47s hauled supplies, dropped paratroopers, evacuated the wounded, and pumped out flares to light the way for night bombing attacks.

  Units deployed:

  • 1st Troop Carrier Group (Provisional)
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 374th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 403rd Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Ashiya AB)
  • 437th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Brady AB)
  • 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB, Ashiya AB)

• Douglas C-54 Skymaster
  A C-54 was the first USAF aircraft destroyed in the Korean War; one of the transports on the ground at Kimpo Airfield was strafed by North Korean aircraft on June 25, 1950. It was a Military Air Transport Service workhorse throughout the war.

  Units deployed:

  • 61st Troop Carrier Group
    (Japan: Ashiya AB, Tachikawa AB)
  • 374th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 403rd Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Ashiya AB)
  • 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB, Ashiya AB)

• Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
  The C-119 Flying Boxcar (officially called C-119 Packet) was used extensively in the Korean War. Despite logistics problems that kept monthly flying time averages low, the C-119 worked well in Korea, In addition to airlifting supplies, the C-119s performed other tasks. For example, during Operation SNOWBALL in the fall of 1951, the 315th Air Division used the aircraft to drop napalm-filled 55-gallon drums on enemy troops. The C-119’s greatest feat during the Korean War, however, was a mission to aid the retreat of United States Marine Corps and Army troops from Chosin in December 1950. Air Force C-119 “Flying Boxcars” dropped supplies to the US Marines, but on 7 and 8 December the Chinese closed the sack by blowing the bridge across an otherwise impassible 1,500-foot-wide gorge south of Koto-ri. Without help, the Marines would be forced to leave behind their heavy equipment and make it out on foot, a trek many of the wounded and frostbitten would not survive. Air Force C-119s again answered the call and dropped eight two-ton spans of a treadway bridge for Marine engineers, who kept the column moving by bridging the gap under intense fire.

  Units deployed:

  • 314th Troop Carrier Group
    (Japan: Ashiya AB)
  • 374th Troop Carrier Wing
    (Japan: Tachikawa AB)
  • 483d Troop Carrier Group
    (Japan: Ashiya AB)

• Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
  Performed heavy lift cargo operations to and from Korea. On 27 September 1951, a C-124A began FEAF-hosted service tests labeled Operation PELICAN. In a little over one month, the aircraft flew 26 missions between Japan and Korea, carrying an average load of 34,000 pounds, double the amount carried on the C-54. In one mission in 1951, a C-124 airlifted a record 167 patients from Pusan in South Korea. Unfortunately, because of the weight of the aircraft, it was limited to only four airstrips in Korea. A heavy-duty runway was constructed at Seoul Municipal Airport in October 1952, but logistical difficulties kept the C-124 from fulfilling its airlift potential. C-124s were used by the 374th Troop Carrier Wing and the 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron .

Support Aircraft (Non-Combat roles)

• North American AT-6 Texan
  The Texan trainer found a new life in Korea as a forward air control aircraft. To meet an urgent operational need for close air support of ground forces, the Texans flew "mosquito" missions, spotting enemy troops and guns and marking them with smoke rockets for USAF fighter attack. The T-6s of the 6147th Tactical Control Group performed invaluable work.

• Boeing RB/SB-17G Flying Fortress
  The Boeing B-17 was adapted for photographic mapping and by having their bombing equipment deleted and replaced by photographic equipment. Some cameras were installed in the nose and in the aft fuselage as well. The RB-17G was operated in the Korean theater by the 6204th Photo Mapping Flight for three months in 1950 before being replaced. The 3rd Air Rescue Group used the SB-17G which was a B-17 modified to carry a lifeboat under the fuselage for air/sea rescue. SB-17s operating in Korean waters were refitted with cheek, waist, and tail guns for defensive purposes.

• Convair RB-36D Peacemaker
  The Peacemaker was used for strategic reconnaissance. In late 1952, six RB-36’s were sent to Yokota Air Base, Japan with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadronto fly high altitude reconnaissance over Manchuria. In addition to bomb damage assessment, targeting and aerial photography for Far East Air Forces, the 91st conducted ELINT (Electronic Signals Intelligence) and “ferret” missions to probe Soviet air defenses in theater and give an indication of just where the holes were in Soviet radar coverage. The 91st SRS conducted the first ferret missions ever conducted by the USAF.

• North American RB-45 Tornado
  The Tornado was the first USAF four-jet bomber, and although the B-45 was available for combat in Korea, it was the RB-45 reconnaissance version that was used. First flown in April 1950, the Tornados managed to outrun and outmaneuver MiG’s on numerous occasions, however they too eventually became targets. Many of these early missions were escorted by fighter aircraft and an eventual shift was made to night operations. The RB-45 operated out of Yokota AB Japan with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron along with the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Korea.

• Boeing RB-50A Superfortress
  In November 1950, MiG-15s jumped a flak-damaged 91st SRS RB-29 near the Yalu river. In the ensuing aerial battle, the RB-29 rear gunner shot down one of the MiGs — the first MiG-15 shot down by a B-29 gunner. The RB-29 limped back to Johnson AB, Japan and five crewmen were killed when it crashed during landing. The immediate answer to the vulnerabilities of the RB-29’s was the modified RB-50A, being an uprated version of the B-29. The RB-50As operated out of Yokota AB, Japan, and was assigned to USAF's 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron.

Far East Air Force Korean Airfields (K-Sites)

USAF airfields in Korea 1950-53.

Known bases that the U.S. Far East Air Forces operated during the Korean War. The place name spellings used are those found in Fifth Air Force general orders designating the K-Sites and other official Fifth Air Force documents.

• K-1 Pusan-West
• K-2 Taegu (Taegu #1)
• K-3 Pohang
• K-4 Sachon
• K-5 Taejon
• K-6 Pyongtaek
• K-7 Kwangju
• K-8 Kunsan
• K-9 Pusan-East
• K-10 Chinhae
• K-11 Urusan (Ulsan)
• K-12 Mangun
• K-13 Suwon
• K-14 Kimpo
• K-15 Mokpo
• K-16 Seoul
• K-17 Ongjin (Oshin)
• K-18 Kangnung (Koryo)
• K-19 Haeju (Kaishu)

• K-20 Sinmak
• K-21 Pyonggang
• K-22 Onjong-ni
• K-23 Pyongyang
• K-24 Pyongyang East
• K-25 Wonsan
• K-26 Sondok
• K-27 Yonpo
• K-28 Hamhung West
• K-29 Sinanju
• K-30 Sinuiju
• K-31 Kilchu (Kisshu)
• K-32 Oesichon-dong
• K-33 Hoemun (Kaibun)
• K-34 Chongjin (Seishin)
• K-35 Hoeryong (Kainsei)
• K-36 Kanggye
• K-37 Taegu #2

• K-38 Wonju
• K-39 Cheju-do #1
• K-40 Cheju-do #2
• K-41 Chungju
• K-42 Andong #2
• K-43 Kyongju
• K-44 Changhowon-ni
• K-45 Yoju
• K-46 Hoengsong
• K-47 Chunchon
• K-48 Iri
• K-49 Yangsu-ri
• K-50 Sokcho-ri
• K-51 Inje
• K-52 Yanggu
• K-53 Paengyong-do
• K-54 Cho-do
• K-55 Osan-ni

See Also

• United States Far East Air Forces
• Fifth Air Force
• United States Air Force Korean War Campaigns

References

• USAF Organizations in Korea 1950-1953 United States Air Force Office of Historical Research, Maxwell AFB, Alabama