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| Fifth Air Force, Korea. B-26 (Courtesy of National Archives) |
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On this day
in history -- June 27, 1950 -- President Truman ordered US air and sea forces to
help the South Korean régime. It was a mere two days after the North
Korean People’s Army (NKPA) crossed the 38th parallel border into
South Korea, intending to reunite the country under one central communist rule.
On the 28th Truman authorized the Commander in Chief Far East to
use certain supporting ground units in Korea, and authorized the U.S. Air Force
to conduct missions on specific targets in North Korea. On the 30th the
President further authorized the C. in C. Far East to use all forces available
to him to repel the invasion, and ordered a naval blockade of the entire coast
of Korea.
On this day
in history -- June 27, 1950 -- President Truman ordered US air and sea forces to
help the South Korean régime. It was a mere two days after the North
Korean People’s Army (NKPA) crossed the 38th parallel border into
South Korea, intending to take it over.
On the 28th he authorized the Commander in Chief Far East to
use certain supporting ground units in Korea, and authorized the U.S. Air Force
to conduct missions on specific targets in North Korea. On the 30th the
President further authorized the C. in C. Far East to use all forces available
to him to repel the invasion, and ordered a naval blockade of the entire coast
of Korea.
By this time, the U.S. Air Force had gained independence
based on its success in World War II and the effects of strategic bombing.
However, since the end of World War II, there was a stronger focus on preparing
for nuclear war. Investment followed the focus. This left the Far East Air
Force (FEAF), the U.S. Air Force’s force in Asia, with aging aircraft and too
few men to fly them as they were ordered to Korea.
Air Force Chief of Staff Hoyt Vandenburg called FEAF
"the shoestring Air Force."
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
the USAF did the best with what he had, responding 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,
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.
In addition, the Korean War was the first time U.S. jet
aircraft entered into battle. The F-86 Sabre was of much use, conducting most
of the air-to-air fighting, battling the Soviet-built MiG-15 fighters.
World War II-era F-51D Mustangs were pressed into the ground-air
support role, and large formations of B-29 Superfortresses flew for the last
time on strategic bombardment missions. While strategic bombing did not yield
any apparent results, air interdiction was more successful, especially as there
were very few roads or railroads leading from the north to the south. The raids
focused on NKPA’s supply routes to stop the flow of reinforcements and
supplies.
Airlift techniques from the Berlin Airlift were perfected
during Korea. Airlifts were especially important during the first year of the
war when rapid advances and retreats would sometimes cut ground units off from
the main force. The Korean War also saw the first large-scale use of
rotary-wing helicopters.
The Korean War saw another case of a strong partnership
across the Services. Finally, on July 27, 1953 an armistice was signed between
the United States, North Korea, and China. (However, there is still no peace
treaty.)
For more information about airpower in the Korean War, check out:
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