Units
8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic
45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic
6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance Flight
49th Fighter Bomber Wing
At the outset of the Korean War, the only tactical reconnaissance squadron (TRS) available in the Far East, the 8th TRS began flying RF-80 daylight reconnaissance missions over Korea. A few days before the Inchon landings in September 1950, it provided photography for the U.S. Navy to show high- and low-tide heights of the sea walls and to orient landing crews. Meanwhile, the 162nd TRS, flying RB-26s, and the photo-processing 363rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (RTS) moved from the United States to Japan and began operations in August. Requests for photo-reconnaissance were so extensive that in September Far East Air Forces activated the 543rd Tactical Support Group (TSG) to control the reconnaissance squadrons already engaged and to form a visual reconnaissance squadron. Except for the 45th TRS, the group's headquarters and tactical squadrons moved to Korea in early October. It encountered difficulties in command arrangements, physical separation from the supporting 363rd RTS, and other problems. Then, the Chinese intervention required temporary withdrawal to Japan in December of all but advanced echelons. In late December the 45th TRS began operations with T-6s and F-51s. Colonel Karl "Pop" Polifka, one of the USAF pioneers in the field of aerial reconnaissance worked for a wing-level organization to replace the 543rd TSG.
Combat Components
8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic: September 26, 1950-February 25, 1951.
45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: September 26, 1950-February 25, 1951.
162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic: attached September 26-October 10, 1950, assigned October 10, 1950-February 25, 1951.
6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance Flight: December 25, 1950-January 26, 1951.
Stations
Itazuke AB, Japan, September 26, 1950; Taegu AB, South Korea, c. October 10, 1950; Komaki AB, Japan, January 26-February 25, 1951.
At the outset of the Korean War, the only tactical reconnaissance squadron (TRS) available in the Far East, the 8th TRS began flying RF-80 daylight reconnaissance missions over Korea. A few days before the Inchon landings in September 1950, it provided photography for the U.S. Navy to show high- and low-tide heights of the sea walls and to orient landing crews. Meanwhile, the 162nd TRS, flying RB-26s, and the photo-processing 363rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (RTS) moved from the United States to Japan and began operations in August. Requests for photo-reconnaissance were so extensive that in September Far East Air Forces activated the 543rd Tactical Support Group (TSG) to control the reconnaissance squadrons already engaged and to form a visual reconnaissance squadron. Except for the 45th TRS, the group's headquarters and tactical squadrons moved to Korea in early October. It encountered difficulties in command arrangements, physical separation from the supporting 363rd RTS, and other problems. Then, the Chinese intervention required temporary withdrawal to Japan in December of all but advanced echelons. In late December the 45th TRS began operations with T-6s and F-51s. Colonel Karl "Pop" Polifka, one of the USAF pioneers in the field of aerial reconnaissance worked for a wing-level organization to replace the 543rd TSG.
Combat Components
8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic: September 26, 1950-February 25, 1951.
45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: September 26, 1950-February 25, 1951.
162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic: attached September 26-October 10, 1950, assigned October 10, 1950-February 25, 1951.
6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance Flight: December 25, 1950-January 26, 1951.
Stations
Itazuke AB, Japan, September 26, 1950; Taegu AB, South Korea, c. October 10, 1950; Komaki AB, Japan, January 26-February 25, 1951.