July 1950
Dallas Squadron
On Saturday, July 1, North Korean forces occupied Suwon, denying Far East Air Forces use of its airstrip.
The 374th TCW began airlifting the U.S. Army (USA) 24th Infantry Division, the first U.S. troops to enter Korea since the war began, from Itazuke AB to Pusan.
The 77th RAAF Fighter Squadron was assigned to the FAF for operational control. Far East Air Forces continued to airlift U.S. Army troops to Korea throughout the “weekend” of July 1-2, but substituted smaller C-46s and C-47s for the heavier C-54s, which had damaged the Pusan runways.
Pilots of four F-80s on the first mission with external rockets reported excessive drag that shortened their range.
On that Monday, July 3rd, General Stratemeyer (FEAF) directed the 13th AF at Clark AFB in the Philippines to create another squadron of F-51s from the most qualified personnel of the 18th FBG. The new “Dallas Squadron” was soon headed to Johnson Air Base in Japan to be equipped with Mustangs.
At the beginning of July 1950, the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group was composed of a headquarters and three squadrons, including the 12th and 67th FBS, which had begun to participate “directly in the Korean Campaign,” and the 44th FBS stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines.
On July 5th, General Order 24 issued by the 18th FBW “directed the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group to organize a provisional squadron code named ‘Dallas Squadron.’ The officers and airmen of the former 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron were used as a nucleus to form this provisional squadron.
Major General Patrick Timberlake, USAF and BG James Ferguson, Commander and Deputy Commander, Fifth Air Force.
On July 8th General Timberlake designated Taegu as the destination for the “Dallas” squadron, which departed Clark Air Force Base on 10 July 1950, via Troop Carrier aircraft for Johnson Air Base, Japan, where it was to receive TO&E [Table of Organization and Equipment, i.e. the mix of equipment and supplies that had been determined was required for it to perform its missions] property and aircraft.” 3
The newly created Dallas Squadron moved to Ashiya Air Base and then on to Taegu Airstrip (K-2, Korea.
“The first combat mission was flown from that base on 15 July 1950,” the 18th Group reported.
“At K-2 the Dallas Squadron and the personnel from ‘Bout One’ were combined and redesignated as the 51st Provisonal Squadron and were assigned to the 6002nd Fighter Wing. Major (then Captain) Harry H. Moreland was in command of the 51st.”