I was a 20-year-old airman fresh out of the jet fighter mechanics school in Amarillo, Texas. Several of us went to Eglin AFB in Florida when the powers that be decided that we were needed more in Korea than in Florida. We were there for six whole weeks.

After a shaky crossing of the Pacific, where we cruised along the edge of a typhoon for three days, we landed in Japan and were subsequently relayed to K-13. This was October 1952. The squadron at that time had Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars, the first operational jet fighter in the Air Force arsenal. There was no "break in" time for us. Usually when you get to a new base or assignment, you have a few days to check in before going to work. I arrived at K-13 in the morning, cleared the base, was taken to the flight line, issued a tool box and was checked out in the pre-flight run up of an F-80. That being accomplished, I was then informed that I had the "Able Alert" at 4 a.m. the next morning. No time to think about it, just do it, as the advertisement says.

Mostly, the duty involved a "walk around" inspection with the pilot, help him get settled in his "office," and provide a power unit for starting the aircraft. After a fire is built, show the pilot that all the safety pins have been removed and guide him out on the taxiway. After the mission, the first thing done is refueling and rearming. Checking all fluid levels and taking care of any "problems" written up by the pilot. At this time there may be 4 to 20 aircraft returning from the mission, and the flight line can get a little hectic with crew chiefs, flight chiefs, fuel trucks and their drivers, armorers and their trucks, and various other maintenance people attending to the recovery. The J-33 engine in the F-80s were prone to throwing an occasional turbine bucket. After the engine had cooled, a bright light up the tail pipe would reveal whether you need to gather your tools for a trip up the pipe or not.

In the spring of 1953, we were the first squadron to pass on our F-80s and start learning about F-86s. There were already plenty of F-86s in the area belonging to the 51st FIW across the runway from us, and the 4th FIW at Kimpo. But we were the first to use them as fighter-bombers. They were easier to refuel, having a single point refueling system as opposed to the multiple tanks of the F-80s, each with its own filler and caps. Seven, I think. 

You always had to be aware of what was happening on the flight line. Walking in front of that single air duct could give you a quick trip up the intake. I only remember one of our people doing that. The engine was being run up by the crew chief after maintenance, and the power unit man forgot and walked in front for a fast trip up the chute. The engine was shut down immediately and the airman fished out. He got a bad gash from his elbow to his waist, but he recovered and came back to work after a stint in the hospital in Japan.

I never met a pilot that I didn't like. They were the greatest group of individuals around. Some of the non-flying officers had some hang-ups and were less than nice, but all the pilots always had time for the maintenance people. Some of the airmen didn't like being quizzed on the intricacies of the machines, but I reveled in it. Looking back, it was an exciting and interesting time.