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6147th Tactical Control Group

April 11, 2024

The 6147th Tactical Control Group was a United States Air Force unit that fought in the Korean War. The unit was attached to Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force

6147th Tactical Control Group
Active1951–1953
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleForward air control

Background edit

Following lessons learned in WWII, the 1946 War Department Field Manual 31-35 defined the roles of a ground Forward Air Controller (FAC) and an airborne FAC, or Tactical Air Coordinator Airborne (TACA). Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP) consisted of a FAC and radio personnel, while an Air Liaison Officer (ALO) advised the ground commander. The commander of the Fifth Air Force, General Edward J. Timberlake used jeep based TACPs during the Korean War, while the Canadians used Air Contact Teams. Based on the success of Horsefly operations during World War II, Fifth Air Force Operations Officer Lt. Col. Stanley P. Latiolas suggested using slower spotter aircraft to guide the faster jets, while Col. John R. Murphy requested an operations officer and five pilots.[1]

The combat mission of the 6147th Tactical Control Group included: 1) Provide Tactical Air Coordinators over vital areas in the vicinity of the front lines for the purpose of controlling tactical flights in attacks on targets sighted, or in close support of ground forces, 2) Provide assistance in the adjustment of ground forces artillery fire as required, 3) Provide visual reconnaissance within front line areas as required, 4) Provide Tactical Air Control parties in front line areas for the purpose of identifying suitable targets and controlling air strikes in close support of Army field forces.[2]: 15 

History edit

The 6147th Tactical Control Group was constituted at Taejon, South Korea, within the "operations section" of the Joint Operations Center. Three pilots and two Stinson L-5 Sentinels were assigned to provide airborne forward air controller. On 9 July 1950, Lieutenants James A. Bryant and Frank G. Mitchell flew their first mission as airborne controllers, using Ryan L-17 Navions. These were borrowed from the 24th Infantry Division after the VHF radios in the Stinsons failed to operate. Despite attacks from enemy aircraft, each pilot controlled about ten flights of Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars. Bomb damage assessments indicated several tanks and vehicles destroyed. On 10 July, Lieutenant Harold E. Morris, controlling a flight of RAAF F-51 Mustangs, demonstrated the North American T-6 Texan trainer was a more appropriate aircraft for the FACs. On the same day, Bryant and Mitchell, also flying T-6s, directed the F-80s towards the destruction of seventeen enemy tanks near Chonui. The following day the small group of controllers left for Taegu to organize as a squadron. The 6147th Tactical Control Squadron, Airborne, activated effective 1 August to provide target spotting information to tactical aircraft in flight.[3][1][2][4]

The T-6s carried smoke grenades, racks for a dozen phosphorus smoke rockets, and initially, machine guns, which were removed to prevent overzealous use. A 40-gallon belly tank gave it two more hours of endurance. C-47s provided Airborne's communications centers, called Mosquito Shirley, Mosquito Phyllis Anne, Mosquito Mellow, and Mosquito Godfrey, while Mosquito Mellow worked with the carrier-based Navy. Communication was with VHF 522 and ARC-3 radios, and a SCR-300 (31) for communicating with ground units. The rear cockpit was occupied by an observer, while the pilot flew from the front. The T-6 Airborne Controller Course was held at Luke Air Force Base from May until 15 August 1953, graduating 51.[1]

After the UN landings at Inchon in late September, the squadron (nicknamed "Mosquitoes"), directed air strikes against retreating enemy troops ahead of the advancing UN lines and operated as the eyes of UN ground forces. Squadron controllers also conducted deep penetrations into enemy country, search and rescue, night direction for Douglas B-26 Invaders, parachute-drop mission coordination, and artillery adjustment. As the enemy fled, the squadron moved to Kimpo AB, where the pilots were within minutes of their working areas but also within range of enemy snipers on takeoffs and landings. By late October, the squadron had moved to Pyongyang but in December retreated to Taegu, where it returned to controlling close air support missions. In January 1951, the 6147th TCS gained a C-47 that provided an airborne radio relay between the Joint Operations Center and controllers, enabling Mosquitoes to adapt to the changing combat situation.[3][1]

 
Two USAF LT-6G of the 6147th TCG over Korea, 1952.
 
Marilyn Monroe in Korea wearing a 6147th Tactical Control Group jacket, February 1954

In April 1951, the 6147th elevated to group-level and organized three squadrons, two of which provided airborne controllers while the third provided the U.S. Army with ground tactical air control parties. A year later, the group moved to Chunchon, from where it directed interdiction missions. In the closing days of the war, it assisted allied aircraft in crushing a last-minute enemy offensive in the vicinity of the Kumsong River. The 6147th TCG earned two Presidential Unit Citations, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, during the war, and had flown 40,354 missions by its end. The last mission was flown on 15 June 1953, by First Lieutenant Chester L. Brown.[3][1]

Combat Components[3]

  • 942nd Forward Air Control Squadron: attached 20 June 1953–.
  • 6148th Tactical Control Squadron: 25 April 1951–.
  • 6149th Tactical Control Squadron: 25 April 1951–.
  • 6150th Tactical Control Squadron: 25 April 1951 – 20 June 1953.

Stations[3]

  • Taegu AB, South Korea, (1 August)
  • Kimpo AB, South Korea (5 October 1950)
  • Seoul, South Korea, (18 October 1950)
  • Pyongyang East, North Korea, (28 October)
  • Taegu AB, South Korea, (late November 1950)
  • Pyongtaek, South Korea, (12 March 1951)
  • Chunchon, South Korea, (18 April 1952)

Commanders[3]

  • Lt. Col. Merrill M. Carlton (1 August 1950)
  • Col. Timothy F. O’Keefe (28 March 1951)
  • Col. John C. Watson (c. January 1952)
  • Col. Paul Fojtik (10 January 1953)

Popular culture edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Churchill, Jan (1997). Hit My Smoke: Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia. Manhattan, KS: Sunflower University Press. pp. 5–9. ISBN 9780897452168.
  2. ^ a b c Cleveland, W.M. (1991). Mosquitoes in Korea. Portsmouth, NH: Peter E. Randall Publisher. pp. 11, 29, 273.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The USAFin Korea Campaigns, Units, and Stations 1950–1953" (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. 2001. pp. 88–89. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  4. ^ Futrell, Robert (1996). The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950-1953. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 81–83, 106–107. ISBN 0160488796.

Additional Reading edit

  • Futrell, Robert Frank (1983) The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950–1953, Maxwell AFB, Alabama Office of Air Force History, ISBN 0-912799-71-4

External links edit

  • Historical Marker at the Memorial Park of the National Museum of the United States Air Force
  • Mosquitoes in Korea
  • Mosquito Association
  • In Korea Mosquitos Can Be Your Friend

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

April 11, 2024
6147th, tactical, control, group, united, states, force, unit, that, fought, korean, unit, attached, east, forces, fifth, forceactive1951, 1953countryunited, statesbranchunited, states, forceroleforward, control, contents, background, history, popular, culture. The 6147th Tactical Control Group was a United States Air Force unit that fought in the Korean War The unit was attached to Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force6147th Tactical Control GroupActive1951 1953CountryUnited StatesBranchUnited States Air ForceRoleForward air control Contents 1 Background 2 History 3 Popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 Additional Reading 7 External linksBackground editFollowing lessons learned in WWII the 1946 War Department Field Manual 31 35 defined the roles of a ground Forward Air Controller FAC and an airborne FAC or Tactical Air Coordinator Airborne TACA Tactical Air Control Parties TACP consisted of a FAC and radio personnel while an Air Liaison Officer ALO advised the ground commander The commander of the Fifth Air Force General Edward J Timberlake used jeep based TACPs during the Korean War while the Canadians used Air Contact Teams Based on the success of Horsefly operations during World War II Fifth Air Force Operations Officer Lt Col Stanley P Latiolas suggested using slower spotter aircraft to guide the faster jets while Col John R Murphy requested an operations officer and five pilots 1 The combat mission of the 6147th Tactical Control Group included 1 Provide Tactical Air Coordinators over vital areas in the vicinity of the front lines for the purpose of controlling tactical flights in attacks on targets sighted or in close support of ground forces 2 Provide assistance in the adjustment of ground forces artillery fire as required 3 Provide visual reconnaissance within front line areas as required 4 Provide Tactical Air Control parties in front line areas for the purpose of identifying suitable targets and controlling air strikes in close support of Army field forces 2 15 History editThe 6147th Tactical Control Group was constituted at Taejon South Korea within the operations section of the Joint Operations Center Three pilots and two Stinson L 5 Sentinels were assigned to provide airborne forward air controller On 9 July 1950 Lieutenants James A Bryant and Frank G Mitchell flew their first mission as airborne controllers using Ryan L 17 Navions These were borrowed from the 24th Infantry Division after the VHF radios in the Stinsons failed to operate Despite attacks from enemy aircraft each pilot controlled about ten flights of Lockheed F 80 Shooting Stars Bomb damage assessments indicated several tanks and vehicles destroyed On 10 July Lieutenant Harold E Morris controlling a flight of RAAF F 51 Mustangs demonstrated the North American T 6 Texan trainer was a more appropriate aircraft for the FACs On the same day Bryant and Mitchell also flying T 6s directed the F 80s towards the destruction of seventeen enemy tanks near Chonui The following day the small group of controllers left for Taegu to organize as a squadron The 6147th Tactical Control Squadron Airborne activated effective 1 August to provide target spotting information to tactical aircraft in flight 3 1 2 4 The T 6s carried smoke grenades racks for a dozen phosphorus smoke rockets and initially machine guns which were removed to prevent overzealous use A 40 gallon belly tank gave it two more hours of endurance C 47s provided Airborne s communications centers called Mosquito Shirley Mosquito Phyllis Anne Mosquito Mellow and Mosquito Godfrey while Mosquito Mellow worked with the carrier based Navy Communication was with VHF 522 and ARC 3 radios and a SCR 300 31 for communicating with ground units The rear cockpit was occupied by an observer while the pilot flew from the front The T 6 Airborne Controller Course was held at Luke Air Force Base from May until 15 August 1953 graduating 51 1 After the UN landings at Inchon in late September the squadron nicknamed Mosquitoes directed air strikes against retreating enemy troops ahead of the advancing UN lines and operated as the eyes of UN ground forces Squadron controllers also conducted deep penetrations into enemy country search and rescue night direction for Douglas B 26 Invaders parachute drop mission coordination and artillery adjustment As the enemy fled the squadron moved to Kimpo AB where the pilots were within minutes of their working areas but also within range of enemy snipers on takeoffs and landings By late October the squadron had moved to Pyongyang but in December retreated to Taegu where it returned to controlling close air support missions In January 1951 the 6147th TCS gained a C 47 that provided an airborne radio relay between the Joint Operations Center and controllers enabling Mosquitoes to adapt to the changing combat situation 3 1 nbsp Two USAF LT 6G of the 6147th TCG over Korea 1952 nbsp Marilyn Monroe in Korea wearing a 6147th Tactical Control Group jacket February 1954In April 1951 the 6147th elevated to group level and organized three squadrons two of which provided airborne controllers while the third provided the U S Army with ground tactical air control parties A year later the group moved to Chunchon from where it directed interdiction missions In the closing days of the war it assisted allied aircraft in crushing a last minute enemy offensive in the vicinity of the Kumsong River The 6147th TCG earned two Presidential Unit Citations and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation during the war and had flown 40 354 missions by its end The last mission was flown on 15 June 1953 by First Lieutenant Chester L Brown 3 1 Combat Components 3 942nd Forward Air Control Squadron attached 20 June 1953 6148th Tactical Control Squadron 25 April 1951 6149th Tactical Control Squadron 25 April 1951 6150th Tactical Control Squadron 25 April 1951 20 June 1953 Stations 3 Taegu AB South Korea 1 August Kimpo AB South Korea 5 October 1950 Seoul South Korea 18 October 1950 Pyongyang East North Korea 28 October Taegu AB South Korea late November 1950 Pyongtaek South Korea 12 March 1951 Chunchon South Korea 18 April 1952 Commanders 3 Lt Col Merrill M Carlton 1 August 1950 Col Timothy F O Keefe 28 March 1951 Col John C Watson c January 1952 Col Paul Fojtik 10 January 1953 Popular culture editTerry reports to duty with the Mosquitoes in a 1953 edition of Terry and the Pirates comic strip 2 234 See also editForward air control operations during the Korean War Pacific Air Forces Peter Worthington Canadian journalist served with the 6417 Mosquito Squadron during the Korean WarReferences edit a b c d e Churchill Jan 1997 Hit My Smoke Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia Manhattan KS Sunflower University Press pp 5 9 ISBN 9780897452168 a b c Cleveland W M 1991 Mosquitoes in Korea Portsmouth NH Peter E Randall Publisher pp 11 29 273 a b c d e f The USAFin Korea Campaigns Units and Stations 1950 1953 PDF Air Force History and Museums Program 2001 pp 88 89 Retrieved 10 October 2020 Futrell Robert 1996 The United States Air Force in Korea 1950 1953 Washington DC U S Government Printing Office pp 81 83 106 107 ISBN 0160488796 Additional Reading editFutrell Robert Frank 1983 The United States Air Force in Korea 1950 1953 Maxwell AFB Alabama Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 71 4External links editHistorical Marker at the Memorial Park of the National Museum of the United States Air Force Mosquitoes in Korea Mosquito Association In Korea Mosquitos Can Be Your Friend nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 6147th Tactical Control Group amp oldid 1182042758, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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