In June 1950, the United States and its allies were stunned by news of North Korea's invasion of South Korea. President Harry S. Truman reacted swiftly to the invasion news and ordered American forces into action, given hardening United States-Soviet Union relations, the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, and fears that the North Korean invasion represented the beginnings of overt aggressive action in Asia. Once the United Nations Security Council approved the use of force to counter the North Korea action, military personnel from other member nations joined the American forces.

Initially, the North Korean invasion moved successfully against the unprepared South Korean forces. In order to help stabilize the situation, American military leaders ordered the swift deployment of Air Force units to Japan and Korea. On Aug. 10, 1950, two Reserve units were activated: the 437th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium), O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, and 452nd Bombardment Wing (Light), Long Beach Municipal Airport, Calif. After undergoing further stateside training at George Air Force Base, Calif., the 452 BW (L), deployed first to Itazuke and then Miho Air Bases, Japan, and then to Pusan East Air Base, Korea. The 437 TCW (M), first trained at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and then went on to Brady Field, Japan. The 452 BW (L), flying B-26s, carried out reconnaissance, bombardment and close-air support missions. The 437 TCW (M) flew C-46s and transported cargo and personnel and performed airdrop missions as needed. The unit also participated in the evacuation of United Nations forces from North Korea. The 452 BW (L) inactivated on May 10, 1952, but its personnel and equipment were assigned to the concurrently activated 17th Bombardment Wing (Light). The 437 TCW (M) inactivated on June 10, 1952, and its personnel and equipment went to the activated 315th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium).

Later in 1950, on Oct. 15, two other Reserve units were recalled for active duty: the 433rd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium), Cleveland Municipal Airport, Ohio, and the 375th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium), Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Pa. The units went on the Greenville (later Donaldson) Air Force Base, S.C. for advanced training. The 433 TCW (M) transitioned from C-46s to C-119s and the 375 TCW (M) moved from C-46s to C-82s. Upon completing the additional training the 433 TCW (M) went to Rhein-Mein Air Base, Germany, where it served with North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces until inactivated on July 14, 1952. The 375 TCW (M) stayed at Donaldson Air Force Base, where it performed a variety of missions, primarily U.S. Army Infantry School airborne troop support. It also was inactivated on July 14, 1952.

In December 1950, President Truman responded to the Chinese communist entry into the war by expanding America's armed forces personnel ceilings. Accordingly, the Air Force turned to its Reserve components for additional resources. Fifteen Reserve wings (four light bombardment and eleven troop carrier) were activated and then inactivated once their personnel had been reassigned to active duty units, primarily within the Strategic Air Command.

Six other Reserve units were assigned to the Tactical Air Command. The 435th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) was ordered to active duty service on March 1, 1951 and trained C-46 aircrews for East Asian assignments. It remained at home station, Homestead International Airport, Fla., until inactivated on Dec. 1, 1952. On April 1, 1951, the 403rd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) Portland Municipal Airport, Ore., came on active duty. The unit remained at Portland until March 25, 1952, moved to Ashiya Air Base, Japan, and was inactivated on Jan. 1, 1953. The 403 TCW (M) supported Far East Command and United Nations forces by providing troop carrier and tactical airlift services. From April 16, 1951, until inactivated Jan. 16, 1953, the 516th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) served at its home station, Memphis Municipal Airport, Tenn. The 516 TCW (M) converted from C-46s to C-119s, operated and maintained the airport, and carried out airlift and exercise activities. The 434th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) Atterbury Air Force Base, Ind., was ordered to active service on May 1, 1951, and later moved to Lawson Air Force Base, Ga., where it participated in exercises and flew airlift operations. The 443rd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) Hensley Field, Texas, ordered to active duty on May 1, 1951, moved to Donaldson Air Force Base, S.C. on Aug. 9, 1951, and was inactivated on Jan. 8, 1953. The 443 TCW (M) participated in tactical exercises and missions trained C-46 aircrews for East Asian duty and reviewed and tested new troop carrier doctrine and procedures. Finally, the 514th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) Mitchell Air Force Base N.Y., went on active duty May 1, 1951, and was inactivated on Feb. 1, 1953. During this time, the unit performed airlift operations and exercises, operated a C-46 combat crew training school and converted to C-119s.

The Air Force Reserve had made noteworthy contributions to the Korean War by the time the war ended with the signing of an armistice in July 1953. All told, 146,683 Reservists were recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Of this total, 29,904 were from the combat unit program and 116,779 individuals came from the other parts of the Reserve force. These airmen saw combat duty and provided valuable support in noncombat areas. Moreover, the Air Force learned valuable lessons about the status of its Reserve programs; especially the pressing need for improved mobilization procedures and personnel record keeping.

Photo Caption: F-86 Sabre aircraft line the runway preparing for combat. June 1951

Sources

Cantwell, Gerald T. Citizen Airmen: A History of the Air Force Reserve, 1946–1994 (1997).

Futrell, Robert F. The United States Air Force in Korea; 1950–1953 (1983).

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