136th Fighter bomber wing

Comments: Some time ago I posted here, that I had an 8x11 black & white photo of 4 pilots of the 136th, taken at K-2, sept 1952,I offered the photo to anyone who may have known any of the airmen. I am pleased to say that the grandson of then 1st Lt Raymond Moeckel has contacted me. Scott Moeckel lives in Atlanta Ga, he is also a USAF vet,,as is his father Ronald. I have been corresponding (e-mail)with several members of the Moeckel family. I have sent the photo to Scott, he informs me it was shared with all the family and is now framed and sits in his home entertainment center. Scott never knew his grandfather. After Korea, moreckel continued his love of flying and his service to our country as a test pilot in the USAF, Capt. Raymond Moeckel died testing the then new F-104 whild stationed at Hamiliton AFB , California.Date, April 20,1958, The captain leaves behind seven children, twenty-four grand children and fourteen great grand children,with three more expected this year, It is sad to say his widow Wilma Moeckel joined her husband on Christmas Day 2001, she passed away suddenly after turning eighty-five years of age the week before. She was a strong force in the family after the captians death, she was proud of the direction each child would take in this life.

I am reminded of the saying "A picture is the window of the past, frozen in time" Perhaps you have an old photo or two that could bring worlds of joy to someone, as my sending the 50 year old photo to the Moeckel family..

Keywords: 4 pilots of the 136th bighter bomber group

HQ 6/51-7/52

Comments: Hq 136th Fighter Bomber Wing, Itazuke Japan

Keywords: June 1951 - July 1952

Schirra F-84

Comments: I am interested in any recollections of Astronaut Wally Schirra's service with the 154th FBS. I am a modeler who is working on a project titled "Before they were Astronauts ..." and would like to include a model of an F-84E flown by Schirra. (Having a representative aircraft in the collection from an ANG unit is a big plus, too)

Keywords: Astronaut Schirra F-84E 154th FBS

reunion info

Comments: Just returned from a visit with an old buddy from Itazuke & K-2: Tom Nesbitt in Wetumpka, Ala. We discussed the possibility of a reunion of 136th/58th Comm. Sq. Has anyone ever tried to organize such a reunion ? If so, where & when ? Is another reunion planned ? We looked at a bunch of old pictures and identified some of the people. After 50 years there may be some of them left that would be interested in a reunion to talk about the Fukuoka cabarets, among other things.

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Returned to K-2, 9/2000

Comments: On September 5, 2000,via Olympus Travel in L.A.,and Korean Airlines from Honolulu, my wife and I flew to Taegu via Seoul. We were met in Seoul by Captain Lee and Sgt. Harmon and put on the plane to Taegu where to our surprise we landed on the old K-2 runway, although it looked like downtown Taegu. We were met in an army vehicle by Sgt.Brock and taken to the Taegu Grand Hotel. The city has grown some 5 or 6 miles to just off the runway. The next morning we were met at the Taegu Grand by Major Cox and his team and taken to K-2. There I was introduced to Lt. Col. Lee and Lt. Col. Quon who is the commander of the fighter group there. I was given a tour of the base and to my surprised given a gift belt company insignia watch from the commanding general who was then in Taegon. The base is now a part of the Korean Air Force and the American contingent is very small. The base has changed so much with trees and oriental gardens it is beyond belief, where when I was there is was dry and dusty (1952/53). Out side of our hotel in Taegu there is a highway 14 lanes wide filled with traffic whereas my photo shows a man with a bull pulling a cart in 1952. I was taken to the headquarters building and treated like a returning base commander although while there I only had a few stripes. The reason for this hospitality was my contact via email and the process going through some Korean govenment agencies who responded in kind. I was told that I was the first serviceman to return representing war times. I was embarrassed due to the attention. I only saw one Japanese airplane revetment and one oriental roof building on the hillside remaining from the 1952 days. I just happen to have a photo of that same building with me. Major Cox did an outstanding job, and afterwards took us to the train station where the following day we took a marvellous train north to Seoul where we joined 21 others for the veterans reunion group. In addition to a fantastic tour of Seoul, the DMZ and Inchon we were awarded medals at our two ceremonies in Seoul, one by the Korean War Veterans group and the other by the American Navy League. Afterwards we joined some of the others and went to HongKong and China before returning home. It was a fantastic trip and only cost about $6,000. for a 23 day trip which included Korea, Hongkong and China for my wife and me. I can send you information if you would email me. A week later, Don Paul, followed some of my footsteps and sent me some fantastic photos via email. This reunion represented an important milestone for me and I wanted to show my wife, Flo where I had been stationed during the conflict. I advise all veterans to return and make time to see the base, you won't believe the changes. The Korean hospitality was tremendous. I will be happy to communicate with any of you, and to tell you the truth if I had to relive my original time on K-2, I would do it over, which seemingly is not the view of those I have so far contacted. Aloha, Harry

Keywords: Revisit to K-2

Importance

Comments: I am in World History and we (my class and I) got in the debate on weather the people who were not on the front line where important and deserved to be called a veteran. What do you think??

Keywords: World History Project

Apr 8 2001

Comments: Would like to inform you that I located th Pilot assigned my aircraft in 1952-1953 (100) missions. His name is Ralph Gatell. He flew for civilian airlines after discharge from the Air Force His e-mail address is Rafi30@aol.com This was while assigned 310th FBS K-2 Korea. Would like to hear from anyone that was there .Ret. CMS Carroll V. Hicks Jr.

Keywords: F-84G aircraft.

EMAIL UPDATE

Comments: 136TH MAINT. SQDN. 136TH F/B WING

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80 TH FIGHTER BOMBER SQ

Comments: Would like to know if any of my buddies are out there.I was stationed at K14 in 1952 close to the end of the year.The long cold nights on the line and hoping we would not get shot at.I left a lot of my buddies behind but Iwill never forget there names they will live in sprit and as Iam growing old I hope that the poeple of Korea will never forget what we did there,only God Knows A/1c Louis S Basura

Keywords: 8th Fighter Bomber Group

80 th Fighter Bomber Sq

Comments: Want to know if any of my buddies are out there.When we stationed at K14 in 1952 close to the end of the year and remember the long nights on the line,when it was cold as hell and hoping we would not get shot.Iwill always remember the fiends who never came home.,there names Iwill never forget.Iam growing old now and hoping that country will never forget for what we did to save them. A/1c Louis S Basura

Keywords: Suwon Korea, K14 & K13 8 Fighter Bomber Group

TELETYPE

Comments: I am so very proud of each person who served in the Korean Conflict. My father just got his Medal today. He served as a Teletype with the 136th/58th from Feb.1952 untilDec. 1953 when he came home to ENT AFB in Colorado Springs,Co. He served with the 42nd Com Squad there. THANK YOU!!!!! ALL of you. Debbie Tice

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Old Memories

Comments: Out of 7 years in the USAF, I served 38 months overseas, most of them at good old Itazuke Air Base.

While I was stationed at Lowry AB, Denver CO, as an Instructor Supervisor at the USAF Personnel School, I saw a chance to Germany with the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing being activated in about April 1951, so I volunteered. I arrived at Langley AB sometime in June 1951 and discovered that the 136th was going to go to APO 929 and 970. The orders had been changed and I got to go along. I had previously been assigned to Itazuke from 1947 to 1949 with the 1955th AACS Sq so I settled into the idead that I was "going home". As a matter of fact I lived in the same barracks and in the same room.

I transferred with the 136 Med Group as a temp. first sergeant and later joined wing Hq personnel dept. It was an interesting flight when the people on board found out I had spent 2 years at that location.

I look back with fond memories in spite of some horrible circumstances. I am proud to have served with the 136th FBW and got to know some real "champions" while I was there. Sorry to say, being in personnel, I can't remember too many names.

I did not begin to research this until a few weeks ago and I find I have practically no pictures or items left from that time.

I did discover that Itazuke AB was probably the Shonen Hiko Gakko, Youth Pilot Training School, Tachiarai, Fukuoka, Japan. In other words, a Kamikaze training base. When I was first there we had young men that cleaned our barracks and one I got to know said that he was in training there when the war was over.

Since I got into this and reading all the mail on this site a lot of memories have been coming back.

I was in and out of K-2 and remember this. I remember the steel mat runways, the early morning take offs so the heavy planes could get off the ground. I remember the JATO, jet assisted take off. I remember that there could be an inch of dust blowing on the ground and a few inches of mud underneath that. I guess that was because of the rice paddies.

I remember "bomb alley" across the mountain where the planes went when they returned with a "hung up bomb." and the KABOOM that we heard.

At the Itazuke repair depot, I remember planes coming in shot up and with their tails half burned off. We did not know whether they just wore out or it was from kicking in the after-burner when their bomb load was dropped. I seem to remember the pilots talking about "Getting out of there and high-tailing for base!

We had F-51s during my earlier stay at Itazuke and then F-80s (straight wing) and F-84s (swept wing)

The guys who worked the docks were heros too. I had watched change out engines that were so hot they had to wear special gloves. That is why that C-47 crash in December 1951 shook me up so much - that's where it went - right into the top of the hanger, splitting apart, some going into the hanger and the rest sliding out over the dock areas.

It is a miracle that I am alive today. I was on the manifest to take that flight. It was overloaded and they asked volunteers to wait for the next flight the next day. They had a lot of personnel and parts on that plane that I figured they needed there more than me. So I called and cancelled about 5 minutes before the flight. Since I had spent some time with the Medical Group I went over to help. It was a sight I will never forget - especially a warrant officer that I was friends with. He was still alive when they got him to the dispensary, but he was almost crisp all over. He only lasted a few minutes.

We stayed so busy that the time went pretty fast. Most of my memories of Japan, the area and the culture are mostly of an earlier much slower time.

I returned to the US in late July 1952 when the wing was deactivated going to Montgomery AL. From there we activated the 3580th Pilot Training Wing, Foster AFB, Victoria Texas. I was discharged in 1953.

I want to greet all the Texas and Arkansas members of the 136th that read this. I was born and raised in southern Missouri.

T\Sgt Clarence W. Owens AF 16234276

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Any 310thFBS vets out there

Comments: Interested in hearing from anyone who was ther at that time. Ret. CMS Carroll V. Hicks Jr.

Keywords: Nick-name "CV" crew chief F-84 Tail NO. 467, Pilot assigned Lt. Ralph Gatell. Stationed at K2 52-53 Rotated to Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas. SAC FIghter Wing !@th and 27th.

June 1952 - May 18, 1953

Comments: I was at K-2 for almost a year. The only exciting thing to claim was a guerrilla attack one night while watching an "outdoor movie". I was an enlisted man operating a transet billet and did odd jobs as an enlisted man, including inspection of all physical facilities. I have lots of photos. My wife and are travelling to Seoul for the comemoration ceremonies in early September 2000. This trip is fostered by the Korean National Tourism Organization, Korean Navy League, Asiana Airlines and the U. N.Korean War Allies Association. The trip is arranged by Olympus Travel in Los Angeles and is around $1,100 from Hawaii, including all meals, housing, entertainment and travel. but first flying to Taegu in order to go on the old K-2 base which is now operated by the Korean Air Force. I am interested in knowing of anyone else who might like to join us there. I have permission forms for requesting entry. Further travel to China and Hong Kong is only another $1,900. Send me an email or call if you need other information.

Keywords: Stationed at K-2 Air Force Base

John Rowland

Comments: I am trying to find anyone who knew my father, John Rowland from Dalas, TX. He passed away when I was 8 and I don't know much about him. (He and my mother divorced when I was 5 and he moved to California when I was 6 or 7).

I've read his letters that he wrote home and he mentions these names: Dobie, Murl, Jarrel, Billy Palmer, Ray, Bill, Hodge, Donald Green, Capt. Ray or (Roy) Matthews, and Maj. Biddle.

He was at Langley in Va. for awhile, then in Japan. It seems he worked in a warehouse for awhile. If you rememeber him I would appreciate hearing from you.

Keywords: 136 FTR Bomber Wing 136 Supply Sqd. friends

Cpt. Wood McArthur

Comments: I am interested in hearing from any veterans from the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing that knew Capt. Wood McArthur from Little Rock , Ark. I am trying to get information on Capt. McArthur's war experience to submit his name for Induction into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

This is a request for information about one John R. (Jack) Miller who was in the 136th Fighter-Bomber Squadron over Korea in 1951. He flew with Jack Palidino & Wood McArthur. I amt rying to locate him if he is still living. He was originally from Dayton, Ohio

Keywords: 136th fighter-bomber wing

Captains Wood McArthur, John Paladino, Jack Miller

136 MAINTENANCE SQDN.

Comments: I would like to communicate with anyone who remembers when the C-47 crashed through the 136th Maint. Sqdn. Hanger...Dec 27, 1951 I was in an area at the top and front of the hanger. Te C-47 peeled off and came through the top, between my shop chief and myself. It was a very tragic event for an 18 year old boy far from home. Most of the guys on the plane were killed as well as 11 men on the ground in the hydraulic area. The runway was under repair so the plane(s) were taking off of the apron. If they were using the runway, it would have crashed in a rice paddy beyond the maintenance area, I believe. Would love to hear from anyone in the Maint. Sqdn. during those days.

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154th F/B Sqdn, 136th F/B Wing

Comments: I am responding to the message by Donald J. Paul concerning the 154th Fighter-Bomber (FB) Squadron of the 16th FB Wing. This Wing consisted of one Arkansas Air National Guard squadron (the 154th) and two Texas Air National Guard squadrons. I was recalled to active duty with the 10th Air Reserve FB Squadron on April 14, 1951. I hadn't flown since September 1945 but, after 10 hrs. in the back seat of an AT-6 and two hours in the back seat of a T-33, I was checked out in an F84E. I found the F84 to be quite different from the P-51s I was flying when WWII ended, but it was an easy aircraft to fly. The 10th FB Squadron was absorbed by the 154th FB Squadron. We left Langley AFB on July 4, 1951 and went to Itazuke, Japan where I flew my first combat missions. After a short time at Itazuke, the 154th/136th was transferred to K2 at Taequ, Korea. I completed 100 combat missions in February 1952 (our 154th aircraft maintenance personnel performed superb work) and was rotated back to the states where I flew F84Gs until I was released from active duty in May 1952. I would take mild exception to Don's statement about B-29 escort missions. What bothered us the most was anti-aircraft (AA) fire which caused most of our losses. After all, the MIGs were after the B29s, not the F84s. Of course the story was different when we were on interdiction missions. But the F84 was not very good at escorting B29s because the MIGs were slightly faster and, with swept-back wings, could dive much faster. They also could climb faster than the F84s. The F84 escort pilots felt bad because we couldn't keep the MIGs away from the B-29s. I think I know of the story Don referred to about the pilots who saved a fellow pilot. I believe the story is about John Paladina who passed out from lack of oxygen while flying at high altitude. As his plane started to vere off course, Lt. McArthur and Capt. Miller saw a problem, got John to retard his throttle and then aligned themselves on either side. They kept John's plane from spiraling until a lower altitude was reached, and John regained consciousness and regained control of his aircraft. John was my flight leader but I didn't fly with him that day. I can tell you other stories about my personal experiences and about other pilots who went down over Korea. Incidentally, Don, you may remember that Wally Schirra, the astronaut, flew 20 missions with the 154th.

Edward F. Unser

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136th Bomb Wng & 67th TacRecon

Comments: 136TH BOMB WNG & 67TH TACRECON

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photos of crash in 1951

Comments: I have photos taken of the C-47 crash at Itasuki in 1951.

Keywords: usaf 136 ftr-bmr korean

unit member

Comments: Hometown when in Korea was Pittsburgh, PA. Arrived Korea April, 1951 thru August, 1952. Served in Communications Squadron of the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing as a Radio Operator. This unit was divided between Itazuke AFB in Fukuoka, Japan and K-2 Taegu, Korea. Rank while in Korea was A1/c. Prior to Korea was stationed at Langley AFB, Virginia. Post Korea stationed (1-year) at Selfridge AFB,Michigan,Discharged October,1953. Training at Lackland,1949 and Camp Gordon, 1950

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