[Empire_of_Liberty]

Maybe I’m missing something, but NK’s border with the Soviet Union is miniscule.

NK borders with CHYNA. At the time, I suppose that the air threat came from the USSR, but I expect that that was in no way true on the ground.

[DFG]

Soviet pilots were flying MIG-15’s from Chinese bases across the Yalu River in China. MIG-15’s did not have much range. Soviet and Chinese pilots were also flying the MIGs against us in Vietnam.

[DFG]

Soviet pilots were flying MIG-15’s from Chinese bases across the Yalu River in China. MIG-15’s did not have much range. Soviet and Chinese pilots were also flying the MIGs against us in Vietnam.

[verum ago]

Maybe I’m missing something, but NK’s border with the Soviet Union is miniscule.

NK borders with CHYNA. At the time, I suppose that the air threat came from the USSR, but I expect that that was in no way true on the ground.

The Oriskany was way up north away from the frontlines striking North Korean logistics at Yalu river crossings on the Chinese border, not far from that miniscule Soviet border. In fact, she was only 100 miles from the major Soviet airbase at Vladivostok, which is where the attack originated from. Stalin's original decision to commit Soviet pilots to interdict US/UN missions was based on frustration with the Chinese being ineffective at disrupting the bombing raids on rail lines and bridges over the Yalu. Some of the records released after the war also indicate the Soviet military leadership at Vladivostok were very unhappy with having a US carrier task force only 20 minutes' flying time from their base there, and were likely keen to 'send a message.'

[Blood of Tyrants]

Weren’t there Soviet pilots and fighters in NK at the time?