Our Warmest Wishes For The Holidays - Korean War Veterans ...

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of aviation safety, flew in circles for a couple hours in order to use
up most of his fuel in the event of a crash landing.
Just above the 100-foot ceiling, the pilot spotted what he
thought were the ILS runway lights shrouded by thick fog. But, as
he dropped beneath the 100-foot ceiling, he discovered that what
he saw were really the streetlights of the village of Tachikawa
below him! We passengers could see the terrified populace running
for cover. The pilot gunned the engines and the vibrating plane
quickly regained altitude. The second attempt at finding the ILS
landing was successful, and the Globemaster landed without further
incident.
Nail-biter No. 2 occurred when the pilot, attempting a normal
nighttime visual landing, deployed his main landing gear, only to
discover that one of the two wheels would not lower into place.
Fearing he might have to “belly land” the heavy aircraft, the pilot
gained altitude and flew around a couple hours to use up his fuel.
Meanwhile, crash trucks with foam aboard were at the ready.
As the C-124 touched down on the runway with just one wheel
down, the shock of landing caused the second wheel to deploy and
a normal landing took place. In both instances, there was plenty of
praying going on aboard the aircraft!
Cliff Borden, President, CID #245,
South Central Wisconsin
Coronas on the circuit
I have just read Herb Potter’s article in the July-August 2007
issue of The Graybeards regarding the 6146th Air Base Unit at K-
2, at Taegu, South Korea! His article is the first one I have seen
concerning that air base.
I was called upon shortly after arriving in Taegu (with the 534th
Engineer Technical Intelligence Team) to examine a problem that
was occurring at K-2 with the runway lights. Something was causing
the lighting system to have coronas all along the circuit!
I took soil samples all along the runways, and had them tested
for contents! The result was that the soil was “saturated” with “JP-
4” jet fuel. Each jet on take-off was losing some fuel, and it soon
began to erode the insul ation on those circuits—even though the
insulation was “NEOPRENE.” After I reported my findings, the
Base Commander ordered new electric cables and re-installed the
lighting system. That solved the problem.
When I was there, I was informed that the Japanese had constructed
the base during their occupation and had installed reinforced
concrete under ground hangers for their aircraft! I did not
have a camera with me and could not take any pictures of such
buildings. If anyone has pictures of any of the buildings at K-2, I
would appreciate getting copies!
Charles L Collins, 3931 Shamrock
Dr., Huntsville, AL 35810-4033,
(256) 859-3913,
kwvet@bellsouth.net
Mystery Photos
In the Sept/Oct issue of The Graybeards we published two
“mystery photos” and asked readers to identify them. Apparently
they are no mystery to some readers. Hereis one of the responses
we have received so far.
The picture on the left is one of the numerous bridges spanning
the Han River in Seoul. It was built by the 62nd Eng. Const. Bn.
They have a web page at http://unitpages.military.com/ unitpages/unit.do?
id=104100&ESRC=unitpages.kw Perhaps you can
get some information from participants on that page.
The center picture is of Seoul Station. When I visited Korea in
1996, I sought out a KATUSA soldier that was assigned to my
unit in 1953. I found him in Daejon. He took the train to Seoul
and we met at the station. I
have attached a photo of me
and Choi Kee Soo when we
met at Seoul Station.
Doug Halbert and Choi Kee Soo at
Seoul Station
Doug Halbert, Chapter 282 [HI]
Correspondent
doughalbert1@gmail.com
Korean War Ship in San Pedro Harbor on 28
November 2007
A Korean warship visited San Pedro [CA] Harbor on 28
November 2007. The crew hosted a reception on board the vessel
for Korean War veterans.
We had a great time. The Korean Navy was very gracious to us
and everybody had a good time.
A Korean warship
in San Pedro
Harbor
Plaque presented
to Korean War
veterans by
Korean warship
personnel
November-December 2007
The Graybeards