This Web Site is
dedicated to my former boss CMSGT JAMES HAYNES, USAF (Ret)
Jim was a member of the 6147th
when he was in Korea. He is also a member of the
"Mosquitos" association.
In the
beginning of the Korean War in July 1950 the 6147th
Tac.Con.Sq.started operations. That lasted til April 21,
1951. At that time the status of the Squadron was upgraded
to the 6147th Tac Con Gp. The unit was deactivated in June
1956. But during this period the 6147th made a very
impressive name for itself. The Group had its own aircraft
as well as controllers. The aircraft used was the
T-6.
The T-6 was used in Korea
for forward air control (or "mosquito missions," as they
were known) and carried an observer in the second seat to
spot enemy troops and gun emplacements for the pilot to
mark with smoke rockets. These backseat observers
were what made The Mosquitos a true United Nations
unit. There were Australians, English, Scots,
Canadians, New Zealanders, South Koreans and
Americans. Each assigned to an aircraft that flew
over their own home unit territory, as they knew the
topography, language, unit requirements, etc. better
than anyone else that could be assigned to the
position. The 6147th TCG (The Mosquitos) were one
remarkable unit of
professionals.
On July 10,
1950, the first day of mosquito operations, Lt.
James Bryant and Lt. Frank Mitchell called in a strike by
F-80 pilots who destroyed a column of North Korean tanks.
The 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron was later
"officially" formed for this mission and by the end of the
war had flown 40,354 sorties and was responsible for the
destruction of at least eight Communist divisions,
563 artillery pieces, 5,079 vehicles, 12 locomotives
, thousands of railcars, and 84 bridges.
GO
TO MOSQUITOS
PHOTOS PAGE
USAF
SONG
"MOSQUITOS" OFFICAL
WEB
SITE
Occasionally I come across photos that were not
really Air Force or 6147th Tac.Con.Gp. related. They
are photos from the Korean War period. They are
mostly U S Army photos. But they just might bring
back some memories of "The Forgotten War" As I find
them I will put them on separate pages. The pages
can be accessed here.
