26 June 1951 - Air Guard in MIG Alley, North Korea

During the Korean War over 45,000 Air Guardsmen, in 22 wings and other units, were called into active Federal service.

The 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Texas ANG, was among the first Air National Guard units to be called.

Flying the F-84E Thunderjet, the Texas Guardsmen moved to Japan in May 1951 and, shortly thereafter, became the first Air Guardsmen to enter combat in the Korean War. During the winter and spring of 1951, the Chinese Communist Air Force mounted a major air offensive against the United Nations air forces. The major contested area were the skies over northwestern Korea known as MIG Alley. The U.S. Air Force retaliated by mounting a counteroffensive aimed at destroying the enemy's aircraft and bases. In June 1951 the 136th's 182d Fighter-Bomber Squadron was given the mission of protecting B-29 flights on bombing missions over North Korea. On June 26, 1951, the pilots of the 182d were escorting four B-29s to an enemy airfield near Yongyu when five MIG-15s attacked the American bombers. Although relatively new to combat, the pilots of the 182d turned back the veteran MIG pilots. During the ensuing dogfight, 1st Lt. Arthur E. Oligher, assisted by Captain Harry Underwood, shot down a MIG-15--the first Air Guard jet kill.

The Air National Guard went on to make an impressive combat flying record. Today's 182d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Texas Air National Guard continues to add to its impressive flying record.

(Illustration by William S. Phillips)