In June 1951, the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Photo Jet) was flying off the hot, dusty PSP strip at K-2, Korea.  When the North Koreans invaded, the squadron had been the 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS) at Yokota, Japan and commanded by Lt. Col. Jake Dixon.  The 8th TRS began flying missions out of Itazuke the first day of the invasion and had moved up and down the Korean peninsula as the war progressed.  The 8th has been officially credited with originating the motto "Every Man A Tiger", and the motto was carried over to the 15th TRS.

The 67th Tactical

Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) was subsequently  formed, and the 8th TRS was re-designated as the 15th TRS.  The other squadrons in the wing were the 45th TRS with RF-51s and the 12th TRS with RB-26s.  The wing was commanded by the renowned Col. Karl "Pop" Polifka who had gained well-deserved recognition in WW II as commander of recon units in the SWPA, African and European theaters.  Col. Dixon was the 67^th Tactical Reconnaissance Group commander at K-2 airfield in Taegu.

The 15th TRS was equipped with about 24 old RF-80’s.  The tail numbers all began with "45" which gives you a

clue as to how old they were.  The old engine put out about 3500 pounds thrust which had to be augmented with a water/alcohol tank for take-off.  The birds were so old that they had a manual starting system, a manual canopy, and a hard seat - no ejection, just climb over the side.

RF-80 Lands at Kimpo Airfield

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