740.00119 Control (Korea)/5–349: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
priority
483. Further to Deptel 268, April 21, I submit following comment re paragraph 6 thereof.
[Page 1006]1. While I consider ROK unable economically, industrially and technically to support effective air force, I feel ROK should not be denied opportunity develop some knowledge and capability aviation.
2. After consultation with General Roberts, military attaché, and others I recommend we provide ROK with following additional aircraft: (a) 20 liaison craft; (b) 15 single engine trainers (AT–6); (c) 5 transports (C–47);
3. Additional liaison craft requested would supplement 16 L–4’s and L–5’s now operational. These craft found highly valuable for observation purposes in Cheju and Chiri Mts. Operations against Commie guerrillas would also be helpful in spotting smuggling and hostile infiltration activities.
4. Trainers requested would be utilized to train ROK aviation personnel of which nucleus now exists. These trainers would be valuable morale and psychological factors.
5. Transports urgently needed for emergency transportation ROK personnel and equipment within Korea. At present USAFIK furnishes emergency service ROK but this will no longer exist on withdrawal USAFIK. Last October, for instance, US transports rushed Korean personnel, ammunition, communication equipment to Yosu–Sunchon area.
6. If I am able offer Rhee above requested moderate requirements, I feel it will head off further ROK inordinate requests for aircraft and at same time reconcile Rhee more easily to fact of US troop withdrawal.
Sent Dept; repeated CINCFE.
- This message was not received in the Department until May 6, at 2:34 p. m., and bore the notation that it had been delayed in transmission.↩