Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

Fact Sheet Search

  • Guided Bombs in Korea

    After World War II ended in 1945, work on guided bombs essentially halted. With the start of the Korean War in 1950, however, the Air Force expedited the development of these weapons. The Air Force used two guided bombs in Korea, the VB-3 Razon and VB-13 Tarzon, primarily against bridges.The Razon

  • Bomber Crewman

    Communist anti-aircraft guns sometimes forced B-29 crews to altitudes above 20,000 feet. At this height, the temperature dropped to well below zero degrees Fahrenheit and crews needed warm clothing for protection. Many wore the same flight clothing that their counterparts did in World War II. Some

  • Strategic Bombing: New Flexibility

    "Practically all of the major military industrial targets strategically important to the enemy forces and to their war potential have been neutralized." - Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, FEAF Commander, less than two months into the Korean WarAfter destroying North Korea's industry in the first two

  • 1st Lt. Bryce Poe II

    Before the outbreak of hostilities in Korea in June 1950, 1st Lt. Bryce Poe II flew the first Cold War reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union. In May 1949 he overflew the Kurile Islands in a specially-equipped RF-80A, and in March 1950 he flew over Vladivostock. Poe briefed the results of his

  • Reconnaissance

    "Korea not only presented a different kind of war for military planners and politicians, it also presented a different kind of place for aerial reconnaissance to prove itself." - Brig. Gen. George W. Goddard, pioneer of modern air reconnaissance U.S. Air Force reconnaissance units in the Far East

  • Operation Kiddy Car

    The poverty and hardship of war orphaned many helpless Korean children, and Fifth Air Force Airmen in Seoul decided to unofficially feed and shelter them. Command Chaplain Lt. Col. Russell L. Blaisdell, Lt. Col. Dean Hess and others organized relief for the children. Blaisdell saved many orphans

  • Chosin Reservoir

    One of the most dramatic Korean airlift episodes was the supply of the 20,000 beleaguered troops of the 1st Marine and U.S. Army 7th Infantry Divisions during their harrowing retreat from the Chosin (also known as Changjin) Reservoir late in 1950. Far in front of allied lines, outnumbered, cut off

  • Airlift: Combat Cargo

    "The airdrops were a godsend." - Marine Sgt. Lee Bergee, a survivor of the Chosin RetreatAt the beginning of the Korean War, the value of large-scale combat zone airlift had yet to be tested. As the war went on, Air Force transports gave ground commanders new flexibility, proving the crucial

  • Korean War Leaflets and Safe Conduct Passes

    Leaflets dropped by Air Force aircraft communicated many different themes. One type of leaflet was a warning against UN air attack. The ones meant for civilians directed them to stay away from unexploded ordnance, or roads, railways and other military targets. The ones aimed toward soldiers tried to

  • 1st Lt. James Pragar

    1st Lt. James Pragar, a C-47 pilot, flew special operation missions in Korea in Baker Flight, 6153rd Air Base Squadron (later designated the 6167th Operations Squadron) from July 1951-February 1952. His flights included agent drops, leaflet drops, loudspeaker missions, agent radio relays and