64th Fighter Aviation Corps
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| 64th Fighter Aviation Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1950–1956 |
| Country |  Soviet Union |
| Branch | Soviet Air Forces |
| Type | Aviation corps |
| Role | Bomber and fighter interception |
| Garrison/HQ | HQ at Mukden |
| Engagements | Korean War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Georgy Lobov Sidor Slyusarev |
| Aircraft flown | |
| MiG-15 | |
The 64th Fighter Aviation Corps (64th IAK) was an aviation corps of the Soviet Air Forces. The corps was the parent unit for Soviet interceptor units based in northeastern Manchuria during the Korean War.[1]
The unit claimed a 3.4:1 kill ratio in favor of USSR pilots, destroying 1,097 enemy aircraft of all types during the war.[2]
The Korean War broke out in June 1950. On 11 October 1950, Stalin agreed to send Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighters of the Soviet Air Forces to provide air cover for the Chinese Communist People's Volunteer Army units then moving into North Korea.[3] Tasked with providing air cover for bridges and for the hydroelectric power plants on the Yalu River, as well as for North Korean facilities and for the Chinese Communist rear area, 64th IAK pilots also trained Chinese Communist and North Korean pilots.[4] On 1 November, Soviet MiG-15s began defensive patrols over the Yalu River. The 64th Fighter Aviation Corps, established on 14 November, comprised the 28th, 50th and 151st Guards Fighter Aviation Divisions.[5] It was first commanded by Major General Ivan Belov.[6][7] The Mig-15s of the 64th IAK began to clash with United Nations jet fighters, such as the North American F-86 Sabre.
On 1 November 1951, the 64th IAK became part of the People's Liberation Army Air Force's 1st United Air Army.[8] In March 1952, the corps received new MiG-15bis aircraft.[9] On 21 April 1952, pilots of the corps shot down two F-86s while losing six MiGs.[10] On 4 July, the corps suffered its heaviest losses of the war when it lost 11 MiGs.[11] During the Korean War, the corps flew 64,000 sorties and conducted 1,872 air battles. According to the inflated official totals of the corps, 1,250 UN Forces aircraft were shot down, 1,100 by MiGs and 150 by antiaircraft artillery. The corps lost 335 aircraft, killing 120 pilots and 68 antiaircraft gunners.[12]
The USSR claimed an overall kill ratio at 3.4:1 in favor of USSR pilots. Effectiveness of the Soviet fighters declined as the war progressed. While between november 1950 and January 1952 overall kill ratio was 7.9:1 in favor of the USSR, this declined 2.2:1 during 1952 and 1.9:1 in 1953. This was due in part to more advanced jet fighters appearing on the UN side and improving US tactics.[13]
After the cease-fire of 27 July 1953, the corps withdrew from Korea. It moved to Petrozavodsk and became part of the 22nd Air Army. In Karelia, the corps included the 26th, 216th and 336th Fighter Aviation Divisions. The corps disbanded in 1956.[14]
