Page 8 - Aerotech News Air Force Anniversary Special September 2022

USAF 75th anniversary — the Korean War
During the Korean War, which began in June 1950, the Far East Air Forces were among the first units to respond to the invasion by North Korea, but quickly lost its main airbase at Kimpo, South Korea.
Forced to provide close air support to the de- fenders of the Pusan pocket from bases in Japan, the FEAF also conducted a strategic bombing campaign against North Korea’s war-making po- tential simultaneously.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s landing at Inchon in September 1950 enabled the FEAF to return to Korea and develop bases from which they sup- ported MacArthur’s drive to the Korean-Chinese border.
When the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attacked in December 1950, the Air Force pro- vided tactical air support. The introduction of Soviet-made MiG-15 jet fighters caused problems for the B-29s used to bomb North Korea, but the Air Force countered the MiGs with its new F-86 Sabre jet fighters.
Although both air superiority and close air sup- port missions were successful, a lengthy attempt to interdict communist supply lines by air attack failed and was replaced by a systematic campaign to inflict as much economic cost to North Korea and the Chinese forces as long as war persisted, including attacks on the capital city of Pyongyang and against the North Korean hydroelectric sys- tem.
Air Force photograph
F-86 Sabres with their 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing “Checkertails” are readied for combat during the Korean War at Suwon Air Base, South Korea.
“On this 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, I am grateful to honor the men and women who have served and defended our freedoms, and especially here at home at Edwards Air Force Base.
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force.”
www.McCarthyforCongress.com
8
Aerotech News and Review September 2022 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview
Military information and photograph do not imply an endorsement by the Department of Defense or any particular military department or the Department of Homeland Security.
Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress