Page 14 - Nov2024Communicator

Remembering K-2 Air Base, Korea
By George W. Hoyt, CMSgt, USAF ret
During the Korean War conflict, I was an A/2C and
had just completed a six-month Teletype Maintenance
Tech School. I traveled across the Pacific Ocean in a
troopship for 18 days, and docked at Yokohama,
Japan. The next day I was flown in an Air Force C-54
from Tachikawa AB, Japan to K-2A at Taegu, Korea.
When clearing in to the 1973rd AACS Squadron at
K-2, I learned that many of the guys referred to the
organization as “Double A.” There were about 100 of
us living in a dozen quonset huts. After getting my
bunk and footlocker set up and learning how to
handle/wash my mess kit, I was ready to begin my
working and living experience on K-2. Because it was
a combat zone, postage was free and we paid no
income tax.
K-2 was home to a Fighter Wing of F-84s. Everything
we did in Air Traffic Control and Communications
was in support of the flying activity of the F-84s, as constant sound of Morse Code and teletype machine
well as other aircraft that flew in and out of K-2.
The 1973rd AACS Squadron was responsible for
operating and maintaining the RAPCON/GCA,
Control Tower, and Direction Finding equipment at
the top of nearby Matcom Mountain. Our Transmitter
and Receiver Sites were the main entry points for
data in and out of K-2. There were also two other off- responsible for all our teletype and facsimile
base sites known as Tare George and Fox How, which
broadcast information for aircraft in the area. The
Morse Code for Fox How (FH) was Dit Dit Dah Dit/Dit
Dit Dit Dit and could be heard all over K-2 as it
penetrated other electronic systems such as the
Armed Forces Radio Network. The 1973rd AACS ATC
and Communications systems were manned and
operated 24 hours a day.
Our Teletype Maintenance shop had three or four
Airmen and two Koreans assigned. Our NCOIC was a
MSgt who knew everything about the technology. He
was a good leader and we learned a lot from him.
We had equipment to maintain in the Comm Center,
Base Weather Station, and the Receiver Site. This
included weather type data by teletype, and 12” x 18” data service was restored. I was quite impressed with
weather maps received on our facsimile equipment
from Japan.
The data that flowed in and out of our teletype
machines was not common English language type
data but was in “weather lingo” which was understood
by weather folks everywhere. Some weather info
Editor’s note: Soon after completion of the Berlin
Airlift, AACS assisted during another world crisis--
the invasion of South Korea on June 24, 1950. On
June 30, the first American ground units were flown
in to slow the North Korean advance. AACS quickly
became involved, continuing their World War II
tradition of being among the first in and the last out. established at Taegu to handle
AACS detachments were operating at Pusan, Taegu,
and Pohang within a week after President Truman
authorized American military involvement. The
number of AACS personnel in Korea soon swelled to
14 November 2024 Communicator
A2C George Hoyt at Comm Center K-2 AB, Korea
came into the Comm Center by teletype and was re-
transmitted out by teletype operators. Some info was
received by teletype and was sent out in Morse Code
over the Korean Blind Weather Network (KBW).
When entering the Comm Center one could hear the
chatter. Weather data was essential for all military
flying activities and we were the main distribution
point for the entire Korean Peninsula.
When our NCOIC completed his 12-month tour, he
bid us farewell and headed back to the States. While I
was only a junior Airman, I was now in charge and
equipment.
There were many days and nights struggling through
technical problems, but there was also satisfaction in
resolving them. I remained in this position for the rest
of my tour in Korea. One day the First Sergeant
advised that while my Korean tour was almost over,
there was no replacement coming in for me, and I was
being placed on an indefinite tour extension. It was a
bad news/good news situation, because a few days
later, I learned that I was being promoted to Airman
First Class.
Several months later, our Receiver Site burned down
and all of the equipment was destroyed. Within 24
hours a Comm Van was airlifted in and all weather
the quick response and mobile capability of AACS.
When my replacement finally arrived, I had spent
over 14 months in Korea. It was 19 more days on a
troopship across the Pacific Ocean again, but I was
happy to be heading home.
more than 400 men. They
operated under the control of
the 1955th AACS Sq in Japan
for the first several weeks. On
Aug 1, 1950 the 1973rd AACS
Sq was organized and
growing AACS responsibilities.
(AFCC–”Providing the Reins
of Command) 1938-1981)