Talyn
Emissary
At the outset of the Korean War, the U.S. Air Force quickly achieved air superiority over North Korea’s antiquated air force. The U.S. Navy followed this trend, with its new F9F Panther jet fighters shooting down two Yak-9s during the first naval air strike of the war on 3 July 1950.
As summer gave way to fall, Navy aircraft flew unopposed over Korea, only worrying about the always dangerous anti-aircraft guns on the ground. By now, there were three carriers on station: the USS Leyte (CV-32), Valley Forge (CV-45), and Philippine Sea (CV-47).
On 30 September, signs emerged that the game was beginning to change. One of the Philippine Sea’s F4U-4 Corsairs from VF-113 spotted an ominous sight 30 miles northwest of Seoul: a Russian-built MiG-15.
www.usni.org
F9F Panther of VF-111 in flight over Korea (U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive)
As summer gave way to fall, Navy aircraft flew unopposed over Korea, only worrying about the always dangerous anti-aircraft guns on the ground. By now, there were three carriers on station: the USS Leyte (CV-32), Valley Forge (CV-45), and Philippine Sea (CV-47).
On 30 September, signs emerged that the game was beginning to change. One of the Philippine Sea’s F4U-4 Corsairs from VF-113 spotted an ominous sight 30 miles northwest of Seoul: a Russian-built MiG-15.
Naval Aviators vs. the Mighty MiG-15
The MiG-15 enters the Korean War, how does the U.S. respond?
F9F Panther of VF-111 in flight over Korea (U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive)