The inland airfields are supplied by railroad tank-car delivery. Airlift has played a big part in POL distribution in Korea, particularly during the period when United Nations troops were scattered over North Korea. During this period the Air Forces utilized several airfields in North Korea. These fields were, in some instances, beyond the usable rail lines, and consequently avgas requirements, as well as ground force motor gasoline requirements in these forward areas, had to be flown in. Hundreds of thousands of drums of gasoline and other POL products were air-dropped to isolated units during the evacuation of North Korea, and to supply units advancing in forward areas beyond existing operational airfields and railroad terminals.
Airlift operation is extremely costly and materially increases the POL supply problem.
For example, during the initial phase of occupation of Kimpo airfield after the landing at Inchon, jet planes were based at Kimpo long before rail communication was established into that area. The enormous jet fuel requirement had to be flown in. Because of operational difficulties it was impractical to supply this requirement from Pusan, so the airlift originated in Japan. Cargo aircraft engaged in supplying jet fuel on this lift were consuming almost as many gallons of avgas per day as was being delivered as jet fuel. Needless to say, bulk facilities at Inchon and Kimpo were rushed to completion and were in use even before the rail service to this area was restored.