Korean War Air-Ground Glossary
Letters: A-Al ♦ Am-Az ♦ B-Bi ♦ Bi-Bz ♦ C-Cl♦ Co-Cz ♦ D ♦ E ♦ F-Fl ♦ Fm-Fz ♦ G ♦ Ha-Hf ♦ Hg-Hz ♦ I ♦ J ♦ K ♦ L ♦ M-Me ♦ Mf-Mz ♦ N ♦ O ♦ Pa-Pi ♦ Pj-Pz ♦ Q ♦ Ra-Ri ♦ Rj-Rz ♦ Sa-Sh ♦ Si-Sz ♦ Ta-Tg ♦ Th-Tz ♦ U ♦ V ♦ W ♦ X ♦ Y ♦ Z
Note: the Korean-War Air-Ground Glossary is under construction. New pages and images are being added daily. Find terms or phrases more easily by using the Google Search Engine above. Click on the Truckbusters From Dogpatch web site button.We welcome your suggestions for new slang or terms from the Korean War. Use the Contact link above to submit your term.
The Korean War Air Combat Glossary includes military terms, slang and definitions used by the Korean War veterans to whom Truckbusters From Dogpatch is dedicated.
To help establish additional military and air force history resources about the so-called "Forgotten War," the Glossary also includes biographical information, Korean War stories and photographs of many leaders of the 18th Fighter-Wing, Fifth Air Force and other senior military leaders whose decisions affected the missions and operations of the 18th Wing, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group and the Wing's associated squadrons. The Glossary includes many photographs and video of 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing Korean War air combat operations when they were flying the P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabrejet aircraft.
The list includes the names and where known, biographical information about those pilots and Airmen who lost their lives during 37 months of Korean War combat. The information is far from complete and will certainly be expanded through the efforts of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing Association and others.
The names of Two Squadron, South African Air Force (SAAF) fliers are also included.
Information on American pilots is drawn from the files of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing Association, family records and recollections, and, where possible, from unit history reports. Sadly, even the unit histories were often incomplete or hasty in recording the status or circumstances of a pilot and his loss to the unit. When the unit history does mention the pilot, however briefly, that notation is included.
Excerpted from over 3,500 terms and definitions found in Truckbusters From Dogpatch
Letters: A-Al ♦ Am-Az ♦ B-Bi ♦ Bi-Bz ♦ C-Cl♦ Co-Cz ♦ D ♦ E ♦ F-Fl ♦ Fm-Fz ♦ G ♦ Ha-Hf ♦ Hg-Hz ♦ I ♦ J ♦ K ♦ L ♦ M-Me ♦ Mf-Mz ♦ N ♦ O ♦ Pa-Pi ♦ Pj-Pz ♦ Q ♦ Ra-Ri ♦ Rj-Rz ♦ Sa-Sh ♦ Si-Sz ♦ Ta-Tg ♦ Th-Tz ♦ U ♦ V ♦ W ♦ X ♦ Y ♦ Z
- Fm-Fz -
FM - Frequency Modulation
FO - Field Order
Fonecon - Telephone conversation
Ford, Col. Ernest G. - Commander, 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 2 February 1952-7 March 1952, succeeding BG Turner C. Rogers.
Formations - Element: two aircraft. Flight: two elements. Section: two flights. Squadron: two or more sections. Group: two or more squadrons. Trail formation: aircraft following single file approximately two ship lengths distance and “stacked down” approximately 15 feet below the one ahead. Close trail formation: each aircraft “stacked down” about 15’ below 2/3s behind the one ahead and above. Propeller will be midway between scoop and tail section. Echelon formation: aircraft flying staggered “line abreast” approximately 3’ apart and below and with the wing of each succeeding aircraft about 2/3’s behind the nose of adjacent aircraft. Finger formation: visually approximating the positions of the right four fingers held closely together. “Middle finger” in front, the other “fingers” to the left (one aircraft) and right (two aircraft) flying 3’ apart and below each other. “Wings overlapping approximately 3 feet laterally, stack down one ship height, and echelon depth that is necessary to keep #2 wing directly opposite star insignia on lead aircraft.” Battle or tactical formation: a “finger formation”—wingtip of #2 aircraft will be directly opposite star insignia of lead aircraft—space laterally will be that necessary for wingman to accomplish a 180 degree turn into element lead and pull out 180 degrees to the line of flight of element leader. The horizontal separation of the battle or tactical formation is extended to one “turning diameter” between each aircraft.
Foster, 1st Lt. William G. - In October 1950, a four-aircraft flight led by 1st Lt. William G. Foster, napalm bombed, rocketed and strafed an enemy pocket of resistance in the vicinity of Chong-san, east of Taejon…with such effectiveness that an entire enemy regiment surrendered to UN Forces in that area. The other three pilots in that flight included: Capt. Charles H. Spencer, of Penn Yan, N.Y., who was flying his first Korean mission as wingman for Foster; 1st Lt. George N. Olsen, Pennyville, Ill., with 64 missions was flying the number three position as leader of the second element; and Capt. Edward J. Mason. While en route home the pilots were called by an area controller who asked, “Did you guys hear about the regimental surrender?” “Hear about?” answered Mason, “Hell, we did it.”
Logo of "Foxy Few," 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in Korea.
FPM - Feet Per Minute
Frag Order - The daily Wing operations orders generally directed the Fighter-Bomber Group to perform missions as directed by daily Fifth Air Force Operations orders. The Fighter Group published as a daily operations order the “fragment” which concerned the Squadrons. Thus, the Group orders were known as “frag orders.”
Frag Order
French, Capt. David J. - 18th FBG pilot who, in August 1951, was lost during a close support mission being flown with the 67th FBS. “His aircraft was hit and he was forced to bail out in enemy territory. He left the ship at about 200 feet and he was observed to hit the ground with his chute partially open. Rescue operations were hampered by enemy ground fire, and the helicopter pilot reported that he believed Captain French was dead and that it would be fruitless to attempt to recover the body.”
Freund, Lt. Col. Albert J. - Succeeded Major Frank Orth as Commanding Officer of the 12th Squadron on 5 August 1952. “Col. Freund came to the unit from the Pilot Training Center at Luke AFB, while Major Orth went the way of all happy warriors to his Valhalla in the states,” the 12th noted in its report. Freund relieved Col. Sheldon S. Brinson as 18th FBG Commander on 25 November 1952 and was himself relieved on 24 January 1953, when he was assigned to Headquarters, Fifth AF. A major change occurred in the 12th when Colonel Freund “was elevated to Group Commanding Officer and Major [Vernon] Harwood assumed leadership of the Foxey Few.” Harwood had been the 18th Group Training Officer and had been attached to the 67th Squadron.
Frisby, 1st Lt. A. G. 2nd Squadron SAAF - who was KIA on 22 June 1951. Lt Bob Frisby was the leader of a four-ship flight assigned an armed reconnaissance mission north of Hanp'o-ri. At a position approximately four miles northwest of Sibyon-ni he radioed that he had been hit and that he was bailing out. His flight saw the canopy come off and a brown object fall from the aircraft. No parachute was seen to open however, and no sign of the pilot was found during an initial and subsequent air search. His aircraft continued on for a period of time, losing height and drifting to the left until it struck the ground and was destroyed.
Frozen Chosin - Korean in the winter.
FSCC - Fire Support Coordination Centers.
Ftr - Fighter
Ftr-Bmr - Fighter-Bomber
Ftr-Escort - Fighter-Escort
Ftr-Intcp - Fighter-Interceptor
Fwd - Forward