Another ID Needed ID: 6150th Tactical Control Squadron

[patches]

This Large Circular Pocket Patch, The Airman is in Korea during the war, like in 1952, he is a front line Airman with a TACP unit.

[patches]

Close Up

[Randy]

I have seen this before, but can't remember if it was ID'd or not. You can use these units to maybe find something though:

942d Forward Air Control Squadron, 6148th Tactical Control Squadron, 6149th Tactical Control Squadron, 6150th Tactical Control Squadron. All were there from 51-53 under the 6147th Tactical Control Group. As this looks unofficial, it could be a long search.

 

Randy

[ocsfollowme]

I think I have seen it before too.

 

Title of photo: Airmen in Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP), like Airman 2nd Class Jerry Allen, pictured here, spent most of their time at the front lines with ground troops. (U.S. Air Force photo)

 

 

[Randy]

I just got a confirmed ID on this one from another collector, it's the 6150th Tactical Control Squadron. They were in Korea 51-53 and used many bases there to fly out of. Your guy in the pic likely manned one of the radio jeeps that coordinated airstrikes with the FAC pilots.

 

Randy

[jabberwok]

Here's another variation on the patch...

[Bluehawk]

> Some lineage:

 

6150th TACTICAL CONTROL SQUADRON (GROUND)

MISSION

Establish, train and maintain Tactical Air Control Parties and Forward Air Controllers in the Front Line in Korean Conflict

 

STATIONS

Pyongtaek, Korea

Chunchon, Korea

 

OPERATIONS

6150th Tactical Control Squadron

Formed: 25 April 1951, Pyongtaek, Korea

Inactivated: 20 June 1953

Subordinate to: 6147th TCG

 

OPERATIONS

The 6147th Tactical Control Group originated at Taejon, South Korea, within the "operations section" of the Joint Operations Center three pilots and two aircraft testing the airborne forward air controller concept. On July 9, 1950, two airborne controllers flew their first mission in L 17s borrowed from the U.S. Army's 24th Infantry Division. Despite attacks from enemy aircraft, each controlled about ten flights of F-80s. The next day, controllers testing T 6s spotted and directed the destruction of 17 enemy tanks. The following day the small group of controllers left for Taegu to organize as a squadron.

 

The 6147th Tactical Control Squadron, Airborne, activated effective August 1 to provide target-spotting information to tactical aircraft in flight. After the UN landings at Inchon in late September, the squadron (its aircraft nicknamed "Mosquitoes") directed air strikes against retreating enemy troops ahead of the advancing UN lines and operated as the eyes of UN ground forces. Squadron controllers also conducted deep penetrations into enemy country, search and rescue, night direction for B 26s, parachute-drop mission coordination, and artillery adjustment. As the enemy fled, the squadron moved to Kimpo AB, where the pilots were within minutes of their working areas but also within range of enemy snipers on takeoffs and landings. By late October, the squadron had moved to Pyongyang, but in December it retreated to Taegu, where it returned to controlling close air support missions.

 

In January 1951, the 6147th TCS gained a C 47 that provided an airborne radio relay between the JOC and controllers, enabling Mosquitoes to adapt to the changing combat situation. In April 1951, the 6147th elevated to group level and organized three squadrons, two of which provided airborne controllers while the third provided the U.S. Army with ground tactical air control parties. A year later, the group moved to Chunchon, from where it directed interdiction missions. In the closing days of the war. it assisted allied aircraft in crushing a last-minute enemy offensive in the vicinity of the Kumsong River. Combat Components.

 

942d Forward Air Control Squadron: attached June 20, 1953 6148th Tactical Control Squadron: April 25, 1951 6149th Tactical Control Squadron: April 25, 1951 >>> 6150th Tactical Control Squadron: April 25, 1951-June 20, 1953 Stations Taegu AB, South Korea, August 1, 1950 Kitnpo AB, South Korea, October 5, 1950 Seoul, South Korea, October 18, 1950 Pyongyang East, North Korea, October 28, 1950 Taegu AB, South Korea, late November 1950; Pyongtaek, South Korea, March 12, 1951 Chunchon, South Korea, April 18, 1952

 

Commanders. Lt. Col. Merrill M. Carlton, August 1, 1950 Col. Timothy F. O'Keefe, March 28, 1951 Col. John C. Watson, c. January 1952 Col. Paul Fojtik, January 10, 1953

 

Campaign Streamers UN Defensive UN Offensive CCF Intervention First UN Counteroffensive CCF Spring Offensive UN Summer-Fall Offensive Second Korean Winter Korea, Summer-Fall 1952 Third Korean Winter Korea, Summer 1953 Decorations. Three Distinguished Unit Citations July 9-November 25, 1950 July 9-November 27, 1951 December 1, 1952-April 30, 1953 Two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations July 9 November 25, 1950 October 1, 1952-April 30, 1953 ______________

 

Source:

http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/6000/6147 TAC CONTROL GP.pdf