Ext Rare Korean War ca 1953 USAF 6146th Air Force Advisory Group Beret or Pocket Badge Japanese Made

Originally organized as the 6146th Air Base Unit in July 1950, the organization elevated to group-level in August 1952; redesignated to 6146th Air Advisory Group (ROKAF) at that time, and finally redesignated to 6146th Air Force Advisory Group (ROKAF) in July 1953. The organization's primary mission was to train pilots and ground crews for the Republic of Korea's Air Force (ROKAF), but it also flew armed reconnaissance close air support missions. The group maintained its own aircraft and kept operational the airstrip at which it was based, which was often nearer the front lines than any other USAF unit. For part of 1951, a unit detachment trained Korean personnel on the island of Cheju (Cheju Do). At Sachon it trained ROKAF personnel in the operation and maintenance of L-4, L-5, L-16, T-6, and F-51 aircraft. When the group moved to Taegu in early 1953, it left a detachment at Sachon to continue that training. Once trained at Sachon, the Korean pilots deployed to Kangnung near the 38th parallel, where another of the group's detachments had been based since the end of 1951. That detachment earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for the period December 1952 through April 1953 for flying hundreds of close support and interdiction strikes with a wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force. Under the guidance of 6146th Air Force Advisory Group pilots, Koreans flew F-51s from Kangnung to bomb, rocket, and strafe enemy troop concentrations, vehicles, supply dumps, and fuel storage sites.

Stations

Sachon AB, South Korea, July 27, 1950; Seoul, South Korea, September 26, 1950; Pyongyang-East, North Korea, October 28, 1950; Taejon, South Korea, December 6, 1950; Seoul, South Korea, March 22, 1951; Sachon AB, South Korea, June 18, 1951; Taegu, South Korea, January 15, 1953-.

Commanders

Lt. Col. Dean E. Hess, July 27, 1950; Maj. Harold H. Wilson, May 1951-unknown; Col. Walter W. Berg, July 1952; Lt. Col. Harold T. Babb, May 1953-.