Korean War vets visit Seymour Johnson

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  A group of Korean War veterans and their families held their annual 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing reunion here Sept. 11-13.

The veterans, who were assigned to the 4th FIW during the Korean War, toured much of the base and held several functions over the course of their three-day visit.

The 4th FIW and the Korean War: A brief history

The 4th FIW was assigned the F-86 Sabre jet just prior to the Korean War. The unit was the first to commit F-86 Sabre jets to that conflict. 4th FIW Airmen destroyed 502 enemy aircraft (54 percent of the total), becoming the top fighter unit of the Korean War. Twenty-four pilots achieved ace status. The wing's role in the Korean War is widely recognized by historians as one of the Air Force's earliest displays of air dominance.

The wing moved to Japan following the Korean armistice in 1953, continuing training and tours to Korea. The unit moved to Seymour Johnson AFB Dec. 8, 1957.

4th FW embraces its history

After one of the functions during the veterans' tour, a tearful veteran, Francis Halogan, expressed his appreciation for what happened during a visit to the 4th Maintenance Group earlier in the day where the unit lined the hallways giving the group of war veterans and their families applause as they toured the building.

"Seeing all those Airmen - I waited 60 years to have a welcome home like that from war," Halogan said.

Retired Senior Master Sgt. Carlos "Marty" Martinez, a 4th FIW veteran, said he'll never forget how the 4th MXG greeted them.

"I'm very impressed with the way the younger Airmen handle themselves and how they are serving their country," he said.

After the applause, Col. Darrell Steele, 4th MXG commander, provided the group with a briefing on the history of the wing since the group's service in the Korean War.

Col. Mark Slocum, 4th FW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Craver, 4th FW command chief, also took time to greet the veterans and their families. Slocum thanked the veterans for serving during one of the most demanding times in U.S. history and for establishing and developing the legacy of the 4th FW.

Upholding the 4th FW legacy

On the final evening of the visit, the group held an informal dinner at the 334th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar, where they had an opportunity to talk about the tour and share their experiences with Airmen who've recently joined the Air Force.

As the guest speaker of the event, Steele took time to thank the group for their visit and express his gratitude in serving as a group commander in the wing that the veterans in attendance built from the ground up.

"The stories that you all have selflessly shared help inspire, guide and remind us of our rich heritage and history," Steele said. "It's our job as an Air Force and nation to ensure we never forget the many sacrifices of our veterans."

At the conclusion of the event, the veterans and their families expressed their gratitude for the 4th FW hosting the event.

"It's humbling to see how the wing has grown over the years," Martinez said. "Hopefully we can hold an event here again in the near future. There is no place like home."