Bout One
Encyclopedia
Bout One Project was an operation undertaken during the Korean War
by U.S. Air Force to train Korean pilots to fly F-51
Mustang fighters.
On June 27, 1950, as part of the project, a special unit was formed in Japan under Major Dean Hess
, with the objective of training selected South Korean pilots to fly the F-51. Some of the Korean pilots were veterans of Japanese Army and Naval air forces during World War II. On July 2, the unit was transferred to Daegu
, South Korea. After transfer, the unit was redesignated as 51st Provisional Fighter Squadron of the Republic of Korea Air Force
, but remained under U.S. Air Force command, as the Koreans were not deemed prepared to operate their new aircraft effectively. Nevertheless, given the desperate situation on the ground
, the 51st Squadron was committed to combat a day after their arrival, to support the U.S. 24th Infantry Division fighting near Daejon.
The combat operations revealed a number of problems. Major Hess felt that, although enthusiastic, South Korean pilots were not ready to operate F-51's effectively. Within two weeks' operation, two fighters were lost to ground fire. Because most Korean pilots did not speak English, there were problems in coordinating air operations with U.S. Army and Air Force. At the same time, because most South Korean army officers did not speak English, they had difficulty requesting air support from U.S. Air Force as well, underlining the need for South Korean aircraft to support South Korean army units.
In late July, U.S. Air Force decided to disband the 51st Provisional Squadron and transfer its aircraft to U.S. Air Force units to be flown by American pilots. This plan was met by loud protest both from the South Korean government and Major Hess and was subsequently rescinded. However, most U.S. personnel were transferred from the 51st to U.S. units, leaving only two pilots (including Major Hess) and 13 ground crewmen.
After losing two more F-51's, Major Hess decided that Korean pilots required further training. The 51st Squadron was relocated first to Sacheon
, then Chinhae to continue intensive training while occasionally taking part in combat along the Naktong River, during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
. On December 6, 1950, the 51st Squadron was relocated to Daejon. By this time, the unit was actively participating in support of the United Nations forces who had been driven back south of the 38th Parallel following the intervention by the Chinese forces during the preceding winter.
By this time, Bout One Project was deemed a success and the U.S. Air Force decided to help train additional Republic of Korea Air Force personnel, both pilots and ground crews, as well as deliver more F-51's. On August 1, 1951, Bout One Project was officially terminated as the Republic of Korea Air Force was deemed capable of independent operation. At this time, the survivors of the 51st Provisional Squadron, as well as the additional aircraft provided by the U.S., were combined to form 10th Fighter Wing of Republic of Korea Air Force, under Col. Kim Young Hwan, one of the original participants in the Bout One Project, at Sacheon Airbase.
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
by U.S. Air Force to train Korean pilots to fly F-51
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
Mustang fighters.
On June 27, 1950, as part of the project, a special unit was formed in Japan under Major Dean Hess
Dean Hess
Dean E. Hess was an American minister and United States Air Force colonel who was involved in the so-called "Kiddy Car Airlift," the documented rescue of 950 orphans and 80 orphanage staff from the path of the Chinese advance during the Korean War on December 20, 1950...
, with the objective of training selected South Korean pilots to fly the F-51. Some of the Korean pilots were veterans of Japanese Army and Naval air forces during World War II. On July 2, the unit was transferred to Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, South Korea. After transfer, the unit was redesignated as 51st Provisional Fighter Squadron of the Republic of Korea Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force
The Republic of Korea Air Force is the air force of South Korea...
, but remained under U.S. Air Force command, as the Koreans were not deemed prepared to operate their new aircraft effectively. Nevertheless, given the desperate situation on the ground
Facts on the ground
Facts on the ground is a diplomatic term that means the situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract. It originated in discussions of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, where it was used to refer to Israeli settlements built in the occupied West Bank, which were intended to establish permanent...
, the 51st Squadron was committed to combat a day after their arrival, to support the U.S. 24th Infantry Division fighting near Daejon.
The combat operations revealed a number of problems. Major Hess felt that, although enthusiastic, South Korean pilots were not ready to operate F-51's effectively. Within two weeks' operation, two fighters were lost to ground fire. Because most Korean pilots did not speak English, there were problems in coordinating air operations with U.S. Army and Air Force. At the same time, because most South Korean army officers did not speak English, they had difficulty requesting air support from U.S. Air Force as well, underlining the need for South Korean aircraft to support South Korean army units.
In late July, U.S. Air Force decided to disband the 51st Provisional Squadron and transfer its aircraft to U.S. Air Force units to be flown by American pilots. This plan was met by loud protest both from the South Korean government and Major Hess and was subsequently rescinded. However, most U.S. personnel were transferred from the 51st to U.S. units, leaving only two pilots (including Major Hess) and 13 ground crewmen.
After losing two more F-51's, Major Hess decided that Korean pilots required further training. The 51st Squadron was relocated first to Sacheon
Sacheon
Sacheon is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Sacheon's chief fame comes from its being the site of two naval battles in the Seven Year War....
, then Chinhae to continue intensive training while occasionally taking part in combat along the Naktong River, during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
The Battle of Pusan Perimeter was a large-scale battle between United Nations and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 – September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the Korean War...
. On December 6, 1950, the 51st Squadron was relocated to Daejon. By this time, the unit was actively participating in support of the United Nations forces who had been driven back south of the 38th Parallel following the intervention by the Chinese forces during the preceding winter.
By this time, Bout One Project was deemed a success and the U.S. Air Force decided to help train additional Republic of Korea Air Force personnel, both pilots and ground crews, as well as deliver more F-51's. On August 1, 1951, Bout One Project was officially terminated as the Republic of Korea Air Force was deemed capable of independent operation. At this time, the survivors of the 51st Provisional Squadron, as well as the additional aircraft provided by the U.S., were combined to form 10th Fighter Wing of Republic of Korea Air Force, under Col. Kim Young Hwan, one of the original participants in the Bout One Project, at Sacheon Airbase.