[Defense Column] Do You Know ‘Kimchi4’ That Dominated the Skies Over the Vietnam War?

L-19 observation aircraft belonging to the Marine Cheongryong Unit aviation squadron conducting reconnaissance flight over Vietnam airspace in 1966

L-19 observation aircraft of the Marine Cheongryong Unit aviation squadron conducting reconnaissance flight over Vietnam airspace in 1966

L-19 Observation Aircraft of the Marine Cheongryong Unit Aviation Squadron on Reconnaissance Flight over Vietnamese Airspace in 1966

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] It has been 46 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Although it is gradually fading from the memories of people today, the missions from that time remain vivid in the minds of those who participated, as if they happened yesterday. Among these missions were suffocating battles in the hot and humid jungles, as well as fierce support operations carried out from unseen locations. One of these was close air support, which involved using aircraft to provide firepower support to ground troops.

In particular, the Marine Cheongryong Unit’s aviation squadron during the Vietnam War was a tremendous source of strength for frontline ground combat troops. However, after the Vietnam War, with the disbandment of the Marine Corps Headquarters, the aviation squadron was also disbanded, and their achievements have not been widely known until now.

Fortunately, through the testimony of Mr. Jeong Gyu-ho, who served in the Marine Cheongryong Unit’s aviation squadron during the Vietnam War and carried out air support missions, we were able to hear about the close air support situation of the Marine aviation squadron at that time. Mr. Jeong was commissioned as a Marine Corps second lieutenant in 1966, deployed to Vietnam in 1968, and performed air support missions. Later, he served as a Navy S-2 anti-submarine patrol aircraft acceptance officer and commander of the Navy Aviation Training Battalion, retiring as a Navy lieutenant colonel in 1981.

Here is his testimony.

"Kimchi 4" was the only aircraft call sign that provided air support to the Marine Cheongryong Unit’s operational area during the Vietnam War. At that time, Hoi An in Vietnam was the operational area assigned to the Cheongryong Unit. Adjacent to it, the Vietnamese army and the U.S. Marine Corps were responsible for other operational areas, and the U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Wing supported the Cheongryong Unit. Our Marine aviation squadron operated from the Marble Mountain area, located between Da Nang and Hoi An, performing air support missions for the Cheongryong Unit alongside the U.S. Marine aviation unit.

The primary missions of our Marine aviation squadron included close air support, artillery fire direction, U.S. Navy naval gunfire direction, escort during unit movements, intelligence gathering, leaflet drops, and rescue requests during emergency ejections of fighter jets. The aircraft used was the L-19, armed with eight 2.75-inch rockets.

The crew consisted of two people: one pilot and one observer officer (either a Korean Marine Corps artillery officer or a U.S. Marine Corps ANGLICO officer). The U.S. Marine Corps ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Companies) was a unit responsible for directing air, ground artillery, and naval gunfire.

The day that remains vivid in my memory involved a mission for intelligence gathering and close air support. The officer assigned to fly with me was Lieutenant Billy Joe of the U.S. Marine Corps ANGLICO. Billy Joe was from Hawaii, smaller in build than me, but despite the war, he was cheerful and often smiled. His drinking and smoking habits were similar to mine.

Before the flight, we packed bulletproof vests, helmets, pistols, bayonets, a small number of grenades, and emergency rations. After reporting to the senior officer and receiving a pre-flight briefing from the intelligence officer, we headed to the aircraft. Upon arrival, we first checked the aircraft for any abnormalities and verified the armament status. The pilot carefully inspected the aircraft’s exterior for bullet marks from previous missions and any fuel leaks. After confirming the aircraft’s condition, I started the engine while Billy Joe in the rear seat checked the communications. After confirming everything was normal, we took off from the runway and headed toward the operational area.

"May we complete the mission safely today as well..."

Once on a mission, thoughts of parents or friends back home disappeared. Our pupils dilated fully as we focused on the jungle below, continuously scanning and imprinting the ground targets into our brains. Fortunately, that day did not involve naval gunfire or artillery fire direction missions, so the burden was lighter. Suddenly, we noticed movement through the hazy fog. Billy Joe and I immediately focused on the suspicious movement.

"Billy Joe! Are you seeing this?"

"Of course!"

Billy Joe and I were already in sync. We continued to monitor the target while gaining altitude and increasing distance.

"Whether friend or foe on the ground, they will see us and prepare. You know it, and I know it."

We immediately reported to the headquarters situation room to analyze whether the movement was enemy or friendly operational activity, and we scrutinized the suspicious movement more intensely. Shortly after, the situation room informed us that the movement was enemy forces. The Cheongryong Unit was located 500 meters behind that point, which was their final destination. Upon arrival, they planned to move by helicopter and rest for several days, the situation room added. The enemy was targeting exactly that. Our mission was to swiftly suppress the enemy concealed at that point. That was for the Cheongryong Unit, and it was both Billy Joe’s and my mission and resolve.

"Billy Joe! How many do you estimate?"

"About 30?" Billy Joe replied.

"I saw some entering a cave, so maybe around 40?"

"Contact the Da Nang desk, and call in the U.S. Marine fighter jets!" I said urgently.

However, our Cheongryong troops were too close to the target. If we did not increase the distance, friendly fire could cause casualties among our Cheongryong troops. I immediately contacted the situation room and requested that the Cheongryong troops retreat 300 meters from their current position. But the battalion commander in charge of the unit said there was no enemy at that location according to the intelligence. He did not trust our information and raised his voice, saying that in war, both the enemy and us constantly change positions.

The operational area was suffocatingly hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, carrying heavy guns, live ammunition, grenades, and bayonets, running here and there must have been exhausting. I absolutely empathized with the hardships the Cheongryong troops on the ground were enduring, but given the life-threatening urgency, I raised my voice, saying, "If I say fall back, then fall back! Why argue?"

However, the battalion commander was not easily persuaded, and the disagreement escalated into a verbal confrontation. Despite the harsh exchange, I tried to convince him. Then, the brigade situation room called us. The brigade commander personally ordered that if the pilot was correct, the unit should be withdrawn and close air support carried out precisely.

"Kimchi 4 has won!"

Once the unit moved, the fighter jets would turn the area into a sea of fire. After some tens of minutes, the platoon close to the target reported that they had completed the movement as instructed. "Now the mission to suppress the enemy is up to me." I asked Billy Joe to check the fighter jet positions, and he said they were already waiting at 10,000 feet above us. At the same time, we heard the U.S. Marine fighter jets calling us.

"Kimchi 4, Kimchi 4"

"Now that communication is established, if they drop bombs on enemy territory, we can return safely. I hope it will be so."

The aircraft dispatched upon our request was the U.S. Marine F-4 Phantom. It was armed with two napalm bombs and four 500-pound bombs, as well as machine guns. Billy Joe in the rear seat calmly and precisely informed the Phantom pilots of our position at 3,000 feet altitude and the attack direction. We also fired rockets at the target. As the rockets emitted black smoke and accelerated, we made a sharp turn while continuously watching them.

"Direct hit!"

White smoke covered the target. Billy Joe gave a thumbs-up and shouted that it was a hit. We informed the Phantom pilots of the situation and turned left, continuing to monitor the target’s movements. Meanwhile, one of the two Phantom jets began a steep dive, dropping two napalm bombs from 4,000 feet altitude, then climbed rapidly at full power. The napalm bombs that fell to the ground created a black flame with scorching red fireballs exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius, turning the area into a wasteland.

"They fell exactly on target. Direct hit."

Then the second Phantom dropped two napalm bombs, and the first dropped two 500-pound bombs simultaneously, hitting the target. The explosions from the bombs dropped by the second Phantom also came close to our aircraft with loud blasts and flames. The attack did not stop there. When we indicated the moving enemy’s position by clock direction and distance, the Phantom jets immediately opened fire with their machine guns. By providing this information, the Phantom jets unleashed their attacks.

"A great success."

After the attack, when the U.S. Marine pilots asked about the results, Billy Joe gave me a look. I immediately understood and told him to say 100%. Excited, Billy Joe replied, "Yes Sir! 100 over 100 (200%)." The Phantom pilots thanked me and quickly disappeared from my sight.

After the storm of fire passed, white smoke rose and gradually dissipated, and calm returned quickly. The enemy who had been lying in ambush targeting our Cheongryong troops must have lost their will to fight due to the shells and machine gun fire. Until a moment ago, loud voices had been exchanged, but fortunately, we completed the mission from the sky and the ground. Our Cheongryong troops could now rest. Not a single soldier was lost, and they would wash away sweat and gunpowder smoke into the sea while thinking of home.

Before we knew it, we were flying over the South China Sea, having left the operational area. Our helmeted faces were covered with black stains, and the smell of gunpowder still lingered. Since most missions were flown at low altitude, this was a common occurrence. As I gazed at the horizon, a fleeting thought crossed my mind: when would our Marine aviation squadron fly missions on jet aircraft?

"We made it through another day safely."

After a while, Billy Joe and I returned to base after more than two hours of mission. Not to boast, but due to our close air support request, the unit on the ground achieved results by capturing numerous weapons and equipment without any casualties, as reported by the Cheongryong Unit.

After the Vietnam deployment period ended, I received orders to return home. Could there be a better day than the long-awaited day of return? In December 1969, after receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, I stepped onto the return ship’s stairs after one year and four months. Each step I took, thinking of surviving the battlefield, tears streamed down my face along with sweat. The return ship finally pushed off from the Da Nang pier and headed toward the beloved Republic of Korea. I lay on a bed aboard the ship over the South China Sea, in a state like unconsciousness, dreaming of home."