Battle of Suwon Airfield

rdf:langString Battle of Suwon Airfield

rdf:langString Battle of Suwon Airfield

rdf:langString An American 2.36-inch bazooka team takes aim at a North Korean tank during the Battle of Osan. On the right is Kenneth R. Shadrick who would later be reported as the first American killed in Korea.

rdf:langString several aircraft damaged, one South Korean T-6 Texan destroyed on the ground

rdf:langString James W. Little

rdf:langString Battle of Suwon Airfield

rdf:langString Over Seoul and Suwon, South Korea

rdf:langString United Nations victory

rdf:langString The Battle of Suwon Airfield was the first aerial battle of the Korean War occurring on June 27, 1950 over Kimpo Airfield and Suwon Airfield. The battle, between aircraft of the United States and North Korea, ended in a victory for the US Air Force after nine of its aircraft successfully shot down seven North Korean People's Air Force aircraft. It was the first direct engagement of the Air Battle of South Korea. With the outbreak of the war two days earlier, the US forces were attempting to evacuate US civilians and diplomats from the city of Seoul, where a battle was ongoing between North and South Korean forces. Transport aircraft and ships, escorted by US fighter planes, were attempting to bring civilians out of the country as fast as possible. During these missions on June 27, US forces were attacked by North Korean aircraft in two separate incidents in the Seoul area. Despite being outnumbered, the better-built American aircraft outmaneuvered the North Koreans, quickly shooting down half of the attacking force. The actions were among few air-to-air battles in the early phase of the war as the North Koreans, realizing their aircraft were outmatched, quickly stopped using them aggressively against the UN. The battle also signaled a turning point in the Jet age, as new, jet engine powered fighter aircraft had easily bested conventional fighters.