The Korean War Overview/Objective Understand causes of Korean War Understand causes of Korean War Know role of air power in Korean War Know role of air power in Korean War “The Forgotten War”

The Korean War Before WWII, Korea was a colony! Before WWII, Korea was a colony! Owned by Japanese 1910 – 1945Owned by Japanese 1910 – 1945 After WWII: After WWII: Allies needed to decide what to do with the Japanese troops in Korea

Dividing Korea USSR took _____USSR took _____ US handle SouthUS handle South Boundary?Boundary? 38 th parallel 38 th parallel (38 ° Latitude Line) North

The Korean War Soviets set up new government in North Korea: Soviets set up new government in North Korea: CommunismCommunism They wanted to spread communism not only in Europe but also neighboring countries in Asia They wanted to spread communism not only in Europe but also neighboring countries in Asia 1949, China also became: 1949, China also became: communist communist If all of Korea became If all of Korea became communist, it would be communist, it would be almost all of Asian border! almost all of Asian border!

The Korean War Kim Il-Sung in power in N. Korea Kim Il-Sung in power in N. Korea Son? Son? Kim Jong-Il – Followed as Supreme Leader of N. Korea (died 2011) Kim Jong-Il – Followed as Supreme Leader of N. Korea (died 2011) Current Supreme Leader of N. Korea? Current Supreme Leader of N. Korea? Kim Jong-un (Kim Jong-Il’s youngest son) Kim Jong-un (Kim Jong-Il’s youngest son)

War Starts Jun, 1950 – N. Korea invaded Jun, 1950 – N. Korea invaded S. Korea - crossed 38 th Parallel UN agrees to help S. Korea UN agrees to help S. Korea “Stop communism”“Stop communism” 1 st military action of “Cold War” 1 st military action of “Cold War” USSR & U.S. not fighting directly USSR & U.S. not fighting directly “Limited War”“Limited War” Gen Douglas MacArthur (U.S.) 1st commander of UN troops Gen Douglas MacArthur (U.S.) 1st commander of UN troops

Ways Air Power used in Korean War Weapon of choice? Weapon of choice? Fighters!Fighters! U.S. used aircraft carriers, bases in Japan & S. Korea U.S. used aircraft carriers, bases in Japan & S. Korea Fighting moved back/forth across 38th parallel for 3 years! Fighting moved back/forth across 38th parallel for 3 years!

Aircraft used during Korean War F-80 Shooting Star F-80 Shooting Star F-84 Thunderjet F-84 Thunderjet F-86 Sabrejet F-86 Sabrejet F-51 Mustang? F-51 Mustang? “P” Pursuit planes now called Fighters “F” “P” Pursuit planes now called Fighters “F” Some B-29s to bomb roads & bridges Some B-29s to bomb roads & bridges F-86 F-84 F-80 F-51 B-29

Ways Air Power used in Korean War Air power played a big part causing swings: Air power played a big part causing swings: Close Air SupportClose Air Support Direct support of ground forces Direct support of ground forces Air InterdictionAir Interdiction Delaying, disrupting, destroying enemy forces or supplies enroute to battle area Delaying, disrupting, destroying enemy forces or supplies enroute to battle area N. Korea had a weak AF N. Korea had a weak AF (120 old Russian planes) (120 old Russian planes) But on 25 Nov 1950, But on 25 Nov 1950, things changed … things changed …

China Enters the War ( On North Korea’s Side) Gen MacArthur approached too close to Chinese border Gen MacArthur approached too close to Chinese border China fought back China fought back China added 850,000 soldiers & 1,000 Soviet-made MiG-15 fighter jets to North Korean forces! China added 850,000 soldiers & 1,000 Soviet-made MiG-15 fighter jets to North Korean forces! MiG-15  MiG-15 better than any plane US had initially

Ways Air Power used in Korean War But U.S. & UN wouldn’t give up … But U.S. & UN wouldn’t give up … Although U.S. flying inferior planes, U.S. pilots were better trained Although U.S. flying inferior planes, U.S. pilots were better trained Shot down 9 MiG-15s Shot down 9 MiG-15s For every 1 U.S. fighter! For every 1 U.S. fighter!

Cease-fire Agreement Mar 1952, UN forces under MacArthur Mar 1952, UN forces under MacArthur took Seoul yet again … took Seoul yet again … Drove N. Koreans back across 38th parallel Drove N. Koreans back across 38th parallel At this point, both sides realized they couldn’t win At this point, both sides realized they couldn’t win Began negotiating … Began negotiating … … Finally signed a cease-fire … Finally signed a cease-fire agreement on 27 Jul, 1953 agreement on 27 Jul, 1953 End of Korean War? End of Korean War? The 2 Koreas remained divided The 2 Koreas remained divided

Lessons Learned from Korean War 1.Too much emphasis on atomic bomb! Too much $$ spent on bombers Too much $$ spent on bombers (Not enough fighters)(Not enough fighters) 2 types of war: 2 types of war: Total War (WWII)Total War (WWII) Limited War (Korean War)Limited War (Korean War) Limited war – to prevent all-out war or use of atomic bombs Limited war – to prevent all-out war or use of atomic bombs

Lessons Learned from Korean War 2. Air superiority is critical to winning a war (A reminder of lesson learned in WWII) (A reminder of lesson learned in WWII) UN controlled the air over North Korea UN controlled the air over North Korea Better trained pilots (U.S.) fought better airplanes (MiGs) & won! Better trained pilots (U.S.) fought better airplanes (MiGs) & won! 3. Flexibility is very critical for all military branches Each war is different (strategies, tactics, equip.) Each war is different (strategies, tactics, equip.) Need good fighter, bomber, helicopter, training Need good fighter, bomber, helicopter, training As Cold War continued, those lessons would be put to severe tests …