Project Hawkeye

Comments: I'm an aviation historian specialising in a study of USAF Tactical Reconnaissance. I've recently published a book on the subject. Currently I'm researching PACAF for an article and am hoping that someone will be able to give me some input on the role of the 11th TRS in Project Hawkeye in Korea in the mid 1950s. The mission was originally the responsibility of the 12th TRS RB-26s and was to provide day photographic reconnaissance of the DMZ upon request of the Korean Joint Operations Center (KJOC) and to maintain a Photo Processing Center (PPC) capability in Korea. In late 1956 Project Hawkeye had become the responsibility of the 11th TRS. In early 1957 FEAF recognised the need to replace the RB-26 in Hawkeye and, furthermore, give the operation a more permanent establishment at K-14. The difficulty facing the 67th TRW, which was given the responsibility for coming up with an alternative, was what aircraft to use. One of the terms of the armistice was that new aircraft could not be brought into the theatre. The wing looked at the RB-50, helicopters and, rather half-heartedly, balloons. The final choice was the C-47, the Gooney Bird. The aircraft was plentiful and supplies were easy to come by. They were easy to maintain. They were reliable; and they could perform a dual mission if required. On the 19th February, 1957 the RC-47 proposal was put to FEAF with the stipulation that the aircraft could only carry oblique cameras and would not perform a vertical mission. The proposal was accepted and two C-47s were assigned for modification and to commence operations in July, 1957. In fact operations did not begin until September as the two aircraft would not be ready before then.

The basic modification for the RC-47D was the installation of a K-38, 36 inch oblique camera at the rearmost window just forward of the main service door. The framework to hold the camera was easily removed so as to allow the aircraft to return to its transport function. An adjustable screw also enabled a camera angle of between 23.5 and 32 degrees to be selected. The cockpit contained the switches for the camera power and the intervalometer. The aircraft was fitted with a Driftmeter which was installed on the left of the aircraft as the photo flights were made from west to east.

Initial tests of the RC-47 were carried out in the mountains around Itami Air base. This area resembled the topography of the DMZ. The tests were successful and the first photo run over the zone was made on 30th August, 1957. Two navigators were always carried on the aircraft to ensure, as far as possible, that no violation of the DMZ occurred. Can anyone add to this with information and photos please. Doug.

Keywords: Project Hawkeye and the RC-47D

1st Shoran Beacon Sq

Comments: My home base was K55 but I was assigned to a remote site on the Yellow Sea in 53-54.

Keywords: On the Yellow Sea 1953-1954.

Don Sutty ---anybody know where he is?

Comments: Lt. Don Sutty lived in the tent behind mine while we were in Korea. Anybody know his whereabouts?

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Air Force, 1952-1956, Fellow Airmen

Comments: 11the TRS, Kimpo. NCOIC, TSG 'Chappie' Bingam of Arkansas. and a dozen other top flight men. Maj then Lt Col. Lancaster was the CO. Saw a B45 out of Okinawa make emergency landing at Kimpo in early 1954.

Basic Trng Flt 2004, Sampson AFB, NY, A1C Kelly was DI. 9/52-12/52. Then to Keesler AFB, Tech School. MSG Monahan, Capt. McGill. Also at the Medium Bomb Wing at Hunter AFB, B47s, and then to 42 AEMS, Loring AFB, KC97s and B36s. Finally, MacDill AFB with F84Fs. Back to Keesler AFB as Instructor. Early out in June, 1956, to go to college. Went to Korea on the USS Gen. W A Mann troopship, out of SF, Sept. 1953. Tachikawa to K47 then to K14. I'd enjoy hearing from anyone who remembers our service together. Don White, Jacksonville, FL

Keywords: 67 TRW, 11th Tac Recon Sqdn, Radio Radio Repairman.

locate friends

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1957

Comments: Looking for anyone who was in 11th Tac Recon in 1957.

John J. Mock, Jr. Radio/Radar Repair

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Old member 11th TAC RECON

Comments: Ran accross your site..I was a member of the 11th Tac Recon when it was formed at March Field in 1947. I was an acft.mech. assignd to A-26 ser.no.44-35657 the crew chief was Tsgt Mack E. Drake....Sqdn.Commander at that time was Lt/Col Royal B. Allison...A number of us were shipped out to the Berlin Airlift in Oct. of 1948...I never returned to Tac...From Troop Carrier I went on into MATS and ADC..retiring in 1967.

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15 tac recon sq

Comments: if anyone recognizes me, please contact me by my email address, dialkay@webtv.net or my addess listed above.

Keywords: nickname: Moose, worked in 15th Tac Camera Repair, In AF from 1951-55, In Korea from May of 1952-53.

Dinding

Comments: I was in the 11th Tac Recon Sqdn when it was formed. I'm looking for TSgt (later MSgt) Robby Brabham, our unit leader. And for others, too. Don White

Keywords: Kimpo, K14, October, 1953, to September, 1954.

Looking For Section Chief Brabham

Comments: I'm looking especially for TSgt later MSgt Robby Brabham, of Arkansas. I'd enjoy rehashing old times with him.

Keywords: Under watchful eye of "witches tit."

Email change

Comments: I would like to change my Email address under the heading "Miho Kid" to flyn@tctelco.net

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The Miho Kids

Comments: Would like to get in touch with a llth Tac. mechanic by the name of Marasco (Sp) who was crew chief on Aircraft B-26 #625 "No Sweat".I owe him a 5th of booze. Anyone know where Patterson, Buckley, Zimmerman,Barewald or Blann are? It seems like a lot of the guys have dropped out of sight. How about Capt "Dad" Grove?

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1953-54

Comments: I was in the radio-radar repair section of Communications, under T/Sgt **** ***** later M/Sgt on the 67th Side of Kimpo. I was in the first group to be organized as the 11th Tac Recon Sdq Weather. We had 12 B26s and 2 C47s. One of the C47s was outfitted as a early ECM plane including a hole in the floor at the back for cutting aluminum into chaffe and dropping it to interfere with enemy radar. The ECM actually used a wire recorder to record the incoming enemy radar waves and periods, etc. Top Secret, then. I did not know it but as a holder only of Secret clearance, I was not allowed on that C47. Great People, Great Times. Sure, the shooting was over, I know that. That's what made it great. Cheers, Don White

Keywords: Donald White Louisville Kentucky Kimpo AB USAF Air Force 1953 1954 11th Tac Recon Sqdn 67th TRW

Calling all White owls 11TACRECON

Comments: WB-26 Invader flying "Osage" call sign routes Yellow Sea and south of DMZ. Our unit was like MASH with an Air Force twist.Tent City, Kim Sisters ,"Moose Call at K-16, Kim Chi,Round Eye Dances in Soeul,powdered everthing to eat, the Golden Bear at Miho,Japan,Waltzing Matilda at the O Club. Etc.

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