Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

Fact Sheet Search

  • 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

  • Special Operations: In the Enemy's Backyard

    "We started dropping people way up north. We would fly eight-hour missions in a C-47, dropping people all over."- Capt. (later Brig. Gen.) Harry "Heinie" AderholtDuring the Korean War, Air Force personnel conducted highly-classified special operations in enemy territory, including partisan

  • Exposure Suits for Sea Rescue

    Exposure suits protected downed pilots and other aircrew and passengers from freezing in the icy waters of the Yellow Sea between Korea and Japan. Fighter pilots commonly wore exposure suits while flying, since they would not have time to put one on if they had to eject from a damaged aircraft.

  • Air Force Sailors in Korea

    The U.S. Air Force's crash rescue boats were little-known but important parts of the rescue effort in Korea. After World War II, the Army Air Forces' dismantled its extensive network of rescue boats, but the war in Korea made them once again necessary. The Air Force regained a limited number of