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A US honors brigade fires a volley over the graves of those who fell during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Dec 1950.
The Korean War 1950-1953
- Thread starter Bootie
- Start date
F-51 Mustang and ground crew of 2 SAAF Fighter Squadron, Korean War.
The squadron was later re-equipped with the F-86 Sabre in February 1953.
The squadron was later re-equipped with the F-86 Sabre in February 1953.
Just an FYI...
"In between WWI and WWII, air power theory focused on independent roles for aviation, in particular the bomber. US Army air officers at the Air Corps Tactical School (despite the name, the course was more in line with the Army War College) taught that the primary reason for army air was strategic bombardment in order to reduce or eliminate the enemy’s ability and will to fight. The bomber was key to army air having an independent mission. Not much thought was given to fighter-type aircraft nor was any significant amount of development money afforded to the type—air power theorists worldwide generally assumed that the bomber would always get through.
Fighter-type aircraft were not without their proponents, however the presumed role was primarily defense—pursuing enemy bombers, hence the “pursuit” mission and designation. Thus, Army fighter-type aircraft were identified with the “P” prefix. Pursuit aircraft were outfitted with guns for air-to-air engagements but generally no hard points for additional ordnance such as bombs. Again, air officers wanted an independent role not tied to supporting ground forces. They weren’t even to be used to escort bombers which were thought to be capable of self-defense.
The reality of WWII was that Pursuit aircraft rarely pursued enemy bombers, but were needed as bomber escorts to attack and destroy enemy fighters, and in the close support of ground forces. In other words, they operated as fighters in an offensive role vs defensive.
Once the Air Force became a separate service (1947), the need to classify fighters as a Pursuit lessened and eventually the decision was made to reclassify a Pursuit aircraft as Fighter aircraft with the corresponding “F” prefix."
"In between WWI and WWII, air power theory focused on independent roles for aviation, in particular the bomber. US Army air officers at the Air Corps Tactical School (despite the name, the course was more in line with the Army War College) taught that the primary reason for army air was strategic bombardment in order to reduce or eliminate the enemy’s ability and will to fight. The bomber was key to army air having an independent mission. Not much thought was given to fighter-type aircraft nor was any significant amount of development money afforded to the type—air power theorists worldwide generally assumed that the bomber would always get through.
Fighter-type aircraft were not without their proponents, however the presumed role was primarily defense—pursuing enemy bombers, hence the “pursuit” mission and designation. Thus, Army fighter-type aircraft were identified with the “P” prefix. Pursuit aircraft were outfitted with guns for air-to-air engagements but generally no hard points for additional ordnance such as bombs. Again, air officers wanted an independent role not tied to supporting ground forces. They weren’t even to be used to escort bombers which were thought to be capable of self-defense.
The reality of WWII was that Pursuit aircraft rarely pursued enemy bombers, but were needed as bomber escorts to attack and destroy enemy fighters, and in the close support of ground forces. In other words, they operated as fighters in an offensive role vs defensive.
Once the Air Force became a separate service (1947), the need to classify fighters as a Pursuit lessened and eventually the decision was made to reclassify a Pursuit aircraft as Fighter aircraft with the corresponding “F” prefix."
"...The largest game of fuck around and find out..."! 
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