Fast Aviation Data's video: Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star 8th Fighter Bomber Group in Korea

Film Footage of the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars operating in Korea at the outbreak of the war in 1950. The F-80Cs equipped 10 USAF squadrons in Korea: During World War II, the USAF air units operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as part of Fifth Air Force. When the air unit arrived in Brisbane, Australia, in April 1942, three squadrons were assigned: the 35th, 36th and 80th Pursuit Squadrons. Since fighting became the new objective, the unit took on the new designation of the 8th Fighter Group. During the course of World War II in the Pacific, the 8th participated in battles in Port Moresby, Nadaab, Owi, Zamboanga, the Philippines, Minadoro, Ie Shima and Japan. The Group participated in nine campaigns and received two Distinguished Unit Citations. The 8th spawned twenty-seven "Aces" and accounted for destroying 449 enemy aircraft during World War II. The 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing (35th, 36th, and 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons), based at Suwon Air Base, was the longest-serving F-80 unit in Korea. It began missions from Japan in June 1950 and continued to fly the Shooting Star until May 1953, when it converted to F-86 Sabres. Of the 277 F-80s lost in operations (approximately 30% of the existing inventory), 113 were destroyed by ground fire and 14 shot down by enemy aircraft. F-80s are credited by the USAF with destroying 17 aircraft in air-to-air combat and 24 on the ground. Four squadrons of the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group represented in this film. 1. 35th Fighter-Bomber Squadron has three black or dark blue stripes on the tail. The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group and two squadrons, the 39th and 40th FIS, went to Pohang, Korea in July 1950, but converted to the P-51 Mustang before the end of the year. 2. 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron has three red stripes on the tail. In June 1950, the 36th found itself in the fight from the beginning of the conflict. Flying F-80 Shooting Stars, the squadron attacked advancing North Korean tanks, trucks, artillery, and troops. The unit later converted back to the piston-engined P-51 Mustang, 3. 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron has three yellow stripes on the tail. Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while flying an F-80 with the 80th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 22 November 1952. 4. 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron has a yellow band near the top of the tail and a yellow wave on the nose section. The 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, later redesignated 15th TRS, served from 27 June 1950 at Itazuke, Japan, Taegu (K-2) and Kimpo (K-14), Korea, until after the armistice. The squadron also utilized a few converted RF-80Cs and RF-86s. Observations: - 01:11-01:23 an F-80 from the 8th FBS. - 07:02-07:05 and 07:24-07:39 a first or second lieutenant wearing a helmet with what appears to be a Combat Observer badge on top, a Combat Infantryman Badge in the center, and a First or Second lieutenant insignia below. - 07:39-08:02 a USAF jeep with the decorated helmet on the hood and what may be a forward observer on the radio looking skyward while communicating with an observation aircraft. - 08:47-09:00; 09:18-10:57; 10:56-11:10; 11:44-12:16; 14:05-14:09; 16:35-16:55; 17:46-18:03 and 18:36-19:19 F-80's from the 35th or 36th FBS and the 80 FBS depending on what colors are seen. Calculate your fun holiday trip time and distance at https://goo.gl/sv0kWB Time: 19 minutes 17 seconds Producer: USAF Source: National Archives History: Wikipedia ID: 5722800