"Train Number 5 leaving the station..."
EVERY MAN A TIGER: Squadron Calendar 1 AUGUST 1951 - 31 DECEMBER 1951 AUGUST 1951 August 1 to October 31 - United Nations Forces launch limited attacks to consolidate lines. United Nations Forces involved in Bloody Ridge. August 9 - An RF-80A from 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron piloted by Capt. Joe Daly is intercepted by four MiG-15s near Sinuiju and badly damaged. "No friendly aircraft were in the area and the enemy jets were able to circle above him, diving down at will to fire upon him. Somehow Daly managed to escape, after five firing passes had ripped a gaping hole in his plane." (Pacific Stars & Stripes) August 14 - 68 B-29s launch a massive strike against a supply center near Pyongyang, North Korea. August 22 - The 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and its squadrons move from K-2 Airfield at Taegu to K-14 Airfield at Kimpo in the vicinity of Seoul, South Korea. August 23 - Communists break off talks charging U.S. violations of neutrality. August 25 - 35 medium bombers are dispatched against the marshalling yards at Rashin, North Korea. SEPTEMBER 1951 "By September 1st, 1951, the Communist Air Forces' order of battle included 525 MiG-15s, and the Reds judged that the time was ripe to launch their new air offensive. The MiGs began to appear in greater numbers than ever before, as many as 90 crossing the Yalu at one time. They were also better led, better organized and displayed superior tactics--clear evidence that the ‘honchos', as the Soviet and Soviet-satellite pilots were nicknamed, were in full control." -- Robert F. Futrell, The United States Air Force in Korea. September 4 (?) - B-29s bomb bridges on the Chongchon River vicinity of Sinanju. September 5 to 23 - Battle for Heartbreak Ridge. September 22 - There is a "Bedcheck Charlie" air raid at Kimpo airfield. An RB-26 of the 12th TRS fired on by Kimpo anti-aircraft guns while attempting to land; no one is injured. September 25 - An RF-80A mission is flown over Saamcham Airfield. September 28 - Another "Bedcheck Charlie" air raid occurs at Kimpo airfield at about 0200. A "Blue Alert" is sounded after dark and lights are extinguished. September 29 - "...pouring rain [at Kimpo] so all flying is off." September 30 - RF-80A mission flown over Saamcham Airfield. OCTOBER 1951 The first *Honeybucket* F-86As were returned to Kimpo in October of 1951 and the first operational missions were flown. These missions were usually flown with the Honeybucket aircraft as the lead ship of a four-ship flight of F-86s. October 2 (Friday) - 1LT Bruce Sweney, 15th TRS, was shot down over North Korea and listed as missing in action. His plane was attacked by two enemy MiG-15 aircraft and his RF-80A appeared to explode at an altitude of 20,000 ft. A parachute was seen to open. An F-84 aircraft made a low level pass an observed a parachute in a rice paddy with the pilot lying face down. He made no sign of life or recognition. The next morning when a fighter cap was dispatched to cover the area, the pilot and parachute were gone. October 14 (Sunday) - An RF-80A mission is flown over Saamcham Airfield. October 17 (Wednesday) - An RF-80A mission is flown vicinity Antung Airfield [?]; escorted by 336 FIS. "There was another mission of escort of photo reccy and I suppose it's just as well we didn't get mixed up in a fight as the responsibility of keeping track of those boys is enough of a job." October 18 (Thursday) - An RF-80A mission is flown over Saamcham Airfield. October 19 (Friday) - B-29s bomb bridges on the Chongchon River vicinity of Sinanju, North Korea. October 23 (Tuesday) - Black Tuesday. Three B-29s of the 307th Bomb Wing limp in to Kimpo with wounded aboard after being shot up by MiGs during the Namsi Raid. October 25 (Thursday) - Peace talks resume at Panmunjom. October 31 (Wednesday) - Missions scrubbed at Kimpo due to weather. Colonel Edwin S. Chickering assumes command of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance wing at Kimpo. NOVEMBER 1951 "Although customarily escorted by 12 to 16 F-86s, 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-80s were bounced by MiGs 11 times during November. Some photo missions had to flown five or six times in order to procure requisite photographic coverage." November 1 (Thursday) - Missions scrubbed at Kimpo due to weather; "frigid weather". November 4 (Sunday) - "[A.M.] Miserable Siberian cold...[P.M.] There was an air raid alarm, so we trooped outside to watch the flak display down Inchon way." November 7 (Wednesday) - Bridge photo recon mission. November 13 (Tuesday) - Weather: No-fly. November 14 (Wednesday) - Weather: No-fly. November 15 (Thursday) - Weather: No-fly. "Siberian cold outside." USO Show with Danny Kaye and Monica Lewis at Kimpo. November 18 (Sunday) - F-86s strafe Uiju airfield; B-29s bomb Uiju airfield. November 20 (Tuesday) - RF-80A mission over Taechon and Namsi Airfields; escorted by 336 FIS. Weather: "The nights are bitter now and the days rarely come up to what you care to endure for long in the open..." November 22 (Thursday) - Weather: No-fly. Vice President and Mrs. Barkley, Generals Ridgeway, Van Fleet and Everest visit Kimpo. 10 B-29s bomb Uiju Airfield. November 23 (Friday) - RF-80A mission to Uiju; escorted by 336 FIS, 4th Fighter Group. November 25 (Sunday) - "It's 9 a.m. right now and snowing". Two inches of snow...the cold was intense last night. November 27 (Tuesday) - Truce talks resume at Panmunjom and a cease-fire line was agreed upon at the line of contact. November 1951 to April 1952 - Stalemate along the 38th Parallel. Peace discussions at Panmunjom continue. DECEMBER 1951 December 2 - Weather: "Cold as blue blazes..." December 16 - RF-86 mission over Namsi and Taechon Airfields. December 18 - Exchange of POW lists between U.N. and Communist forces. December 25 - Weather: "Rain" December 26 - Squadron Leader Ron T. Susans takes over No. 77 Squadron (RAAF) from Wing Commander G. Steege at Kimpo. December 27 - RF-80A mission to Uiju.
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