page_title: 524th Special Operations Squadron
section_title: Korean War
hierarchical_section_title: 524th Special Operations Squadron / History / Strategic Air Command / Korean War
caption_attribution_description: English: A U.S. Air Force Republic F-84E-15-RE Thunderjet (s/n 49-2360) of the 27th Fighter Escort Group at Taegu, Korea in 1951
context_page_description: The 524th Special Operations Squadron is an active squadron of the United States Air Force, based at Duke Field, Florida, with the 492d Special Operations Wing.
context_section_description: In November 1950, the 524th received orders to deploy to Japan to support FEAF in the Korean War.  The squadron departed Bergstrom on 11 November refueling at Williams AFB, Arizona en route to San Diego, California. The squadron sailed on three aircraft carriers. By 30 November the ground echelon arrived at Kimpo Air Base (K-14), South Korea, preparing for the arrival of the air echelon which unloaded in Japan. Once unloaded from the transport carriers, the aircraft were barged to Kisarazu Air Base where they were preflighted for a short flight to Yokota Air Base. However, due to the open air deck shipment the aircraft had salt air induced corrosion, landing gear damage and some aircraft also had flat tires.
  On 1 December FEAF split the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing into forward and rear echelons. Advanced headquarters and operational squadrons were at Taegu Air Base (K-2), South Korea; while support units and the rear echelon were located at Itazuke Air Base, Japan. The advanced echelon would rely on the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing for logistical support, while the rear echelon would rely on the 6160th Air Base Wing.
  For the next six months, the unit flew missions in support of ground forces, earning another DUC for missions between 26 January and 21 April 1951. These missions included close support of the largest paratroop landing in the Korean War and escort for B-29 Superfortress bombers on raids over North Korea, including air-to-air combat with enemy MiG-15 fighters.
  In June the unit began to give combat orientation to their replacements, the newly arrived 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing. They also assisted the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing to transition from Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars to F-84Es. The 524th was relieved from attachment to FEAF and returned to Bergstrom in August.  Once at Bergstrom, the squadron's parent 27th Fighter-Escort Group became non-operational and the squadron was attached directly to the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing as SAC implemented the Dual Deputate organization.
caption: Republic F-84E Thunderjet at Taegu AB (K-2), South Korea, 1951
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