[Llarry]

The Korean War 1950-53 -- the United Nations side...

The U.S. was the first air force to come to the aid of the South Koreans after the June 1950 invasion of the South by North Korea. But lots more help was on the way. The United Nations passed a resolution condemning the aggression by the North and many nations contributed forces to defend the Republic of Korea. (The reason that the UN was able to do so was that the Soviet delegation had walked out in protest over something or other and was not present to veto the resolution.)

Well-trained U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy units were soon in action and destroyed the NK air force. As previously posted, the USSR and then China came to the aid of the NKs.

Soon UN forces arrived in Korea to aid the effort. The list is long of those countries that contributed air assets to the war; those who sent combat aircraft include the UK Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Australian Air Force and Navy and the South African Air Force. Many others contributed transport and support aircraft.

The lion's share of the effort was accomplished by the U.S. Air Force. The effort started out modestly, but combat escalated as the USSR committed MiG-15 jet fighters to the war. That prompted the U.S. to send jets as well, including the latest F-86 Sabres to counter the MiGs.

Virtually the whole U.S. air arsenal, with the exception of those forces dedicated to the nuclear weapon delivery mission, was represented in Korea. The Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy contributed Fairey Firefly and Hawker Sea Fury aircraft.

As the war escalated, the U.S. started bombing North Korea with B-29 bombers. Enemy MiGs interfered and the B-29s got jet escorts; at one point the B-29s switched to night bombing (and had black painted undersides) as the enemy had no effective night fighters. Marine F7F and F3D night fighters and then USAF F-94 night fighters escorted the bombers.

The photos depict just a sampling of the combat aircraft involved on the UN side.

The war ended in a stalemate on the ground and UN forces were reduced. However, in 2023 the UN forces are still represented in small numbers in South Korea, while the U.S. maintains a considerable military presence, including two Air Force fighter wings with A-10 and F-16 aircraft.