USAF Organizations in the Korean War
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In the Korean War (1950-53), the newly independent United States Air Force, shaped in World War II by an increasing concentration on the strategic role of attacking an enemy's homeland, now faced a conflict almost entirely tactical in character and limited as to how and where airpower could be applied.
Like the rest of the American military establishment, the Air Force was in no way prepared for battle at the western rim of the Pacific. Yet despite these limitations, the Air Force responded quickly and effectively, proving in many ways the utility of airpower in modern war. With virtually no warning, the Air Force injected itself into the war in the first critical week. It transported troops and equipment from Japan to Korea, evacuated American nationals, provided significant intelligence through aerial reconnaissance, and most importantly helped to slow the North Korean advance so that the United Nations forces could construct a defensive position on the peninsula.
The Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force was the command and control organization for USAF forces engaged in combat. Its units were located in Korea and Japan. The Twentieth Air Force controlled the 19th and 307th Bomb Groups which were based in Okinawa. In addition, Air National Guard units were activated to federal service and were engaged in combat.
This is a compilaton of the known USAF units which saw Korean Service. An operational narrative of the unit's activities, known bases the units were assigned to, and the aircraft they flew are included in the unit's linked page.
Contents |
[edit] Fighter Units
[edit] Bombardment Units
[edit] Reconnaissance Units
[edit] Transport Units
[edit] Tactical Air Control Units
[edit] Other Units
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[edit] Temporary Tactical Support Wings
In July 1950 Allied planners did not foresee that the Korean campaign would be of long duration. Consequently, the Fifth Air Force modified its command structure only to meet immediate needs. When the time came to move tactical air units to Korean airfields, Fifth Air Force did not deploy its permanent wings because they were heavily committed to the air defense of Japan. Instead, it utilized temporary air base squadrons and air base units to support tactical units in Korea. By August, the situation called for larger organizations with greater allotments of personnel and equipment, and Fifth Air Force set up five temporary tactical support wings to support the combat groups.
Formed to assist in the projection of force to Korea, these temporary wings provided facilities, administration, services, and operational control for assigned and attached combat units. The task was formidable, for the installations the wings controlled were usually "bare base" operations with no amenities and only marginally serviceable airfields.
Logistically, poor roads and rail lines, limited port facilities, and overextended airlift hampered the wings. Organizationally, they were without regular status, such as authorization for personnel and equipment or for promotions. Even with these handicaps and hardships, the tactical support wings performed valiantly. They worked hard to make combat airfields operable and to provide the support and control combat units needed. They struggled to keep pace with the dynamically changing battle lines, opening new bases and forward operating locations as needed.
Their success bought time for the Fifth Air Force to reorganize, and on December 1, 1950, regular wings replaced them.
- 6002d Tactical Support Wing
Organized effective August 1, 1950, at Taegu AB, to support the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. Forced to withdraw with its tactical units to Ashiya AB, Japan, on August 8, it returned to Korea on September 5 and advanced to Pyongyang on November 22. It retreated to Suwon AB (K-13) on November 30, where it was replaced on December 1, 1950, by the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
- 6131st Tactical Support Wing
Organized effective August 8, 1950, at Pohang AB (K-3), to support the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, the wing moved to Suwon on October 7 and to Kimpo AB (K-14) on October 28. On November 25, it advanced to Pyongyang AB (K-23), where it was replaced by the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing effective December 1, 1950.
- 6133d Tactical Support Wing
This wing organized August 12, 1950 at Iwakuni AB, Japan, to support the 3d Bombardment Group and was replaced by the 3d Bombardment Wing on December 1.
- 6149th Tactical Support Wing
Organized September 5, 1950 at Taegu AB (K-37) to support the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, this wing was replaced by the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing effective December 1.
- 6150th Tactical Support Wing
Organized September 5, 1950 at Tsuiki AB, Japan, to support the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group, the wing moved to Pohang AB (K-3) on October 5 and to Yonpo AB (K-27) on November 27, where it was replaced by the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing on December 1.
[edit] Unit Emblems
 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing |
 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing |
 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing |
 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing |
 116th Fighter-Bomber Wing |
 136th Figher-Bomber Wing |
 27th Fighter-Escort Wing |
 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron |
 3d Bombardment Wing (Light) |
 17th Bombardment Wing (Light) |
 452d Bombardment Wing (Light) |
 19th Bombardment Wing, Medium |
 22nd Bombardment Group, Medium |
 92nd Bombardment Wing, Medium |
 98th Bombardment Wing, Medium |
 307th Bombardment Wing, Medium |
 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing |
 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron |
 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron |
 512th Reconnaissance Squadron |
 61st Troop Carrier Group, Heavy |
 314th Troop Carrier Group, Medium |
 315th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium |
 374th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy |
 403rd Troop Carrier Wing, Medium |
 437th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium |
 483rd Troop Carrier Wing, Medium |
 6147th Tactical Control Group |
 502nd Tactical Control Group |
[edit] Aircraft Gallery
 Lockheed F-80C-10-LO Shooting Star 49-8708 of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, Korea, 1950 |
 North American F-86F-30-NA Sabres of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group, Korea, 1953. Serial 52-4877 in front in Wing Commander's colors, 52-4473 alongside |
 North American F-51D-25-NT Mustangs of the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. Serials 44-84916 and 44-75000 identifiable |
 Lockheed F-80C-10-LO Shooting Star serial 49-689 of the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group at Taegu AB (K-9) South Korea, 1950 |
 North American F-86F-25-NH Sabres of the 4th FIW over Korea. Serial 52-5346 identifiable |
 3d Bomb Wing B-26B-50-DL Invaders during the Korean War. Serial 44-34306 identifiable. |
 North American F-82G Twin Mustang Serial 46-394 of the 68th FIS in flight over the night skies of Korea |
 B-29s over the daytime skies of North Korea early in the conflict. |
[edit] See also
- Pacific Air Forces
- Fifth Air Force
- United States Air Force Korean War Campaigns
- United States Air Force Aircraft of the Korean War
[edit] References
- Futrell, Robert Frank (1983) The United States Air Force In Korea, 1950-1953, Maxwell AFB, Alabama Office of Air Force History, ISBN 0912799714
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
- [1] USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present
- [2] Air Force Historical Research Agency
