75 years since the first jet fighter air battle in history

November 1 marked the 75th anniversary of the first jet fighter dogfight in history. On that day in 1950, during the Korean War, a Soviet-made MiG-15 and an American Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star met in the sky.

The MiG-15 belonged to the 72nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (GFA) of the USSR Air Force. However, at that time, the Soviet Union only acknowledged supplying aircraft to China and North Korea, not its participation in the war. Unsurprisingly, the MiG-15 bore the insignia of the People's Liberation Army Air Force of the People's Republic of China. The F-80 belonged to the 51st Fighter Wing of the US Air Force and was officially part of the UN forces operating in Korea in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 82 of June 25, 1950.

According to the widely accepted version, the MiG-15 was piloted by Lieutenant Semyon Khominich. As part of the squadron, he was on air duty in the area of the Chinese border town of Andong (now Dandong). While returning to his base airfield at approximately 14:40 local time, Khomich spotted a group of Shooting Stars ahead and to his left, flying in formation at an altitude of 4,500 meters. After receiving permission from his leader, the pilot approached from the sun's side and attacked from above and behind. According to Soviet sources, one F-80 was shot down. As a result, a number of authors are convinced that Khomich achieved the first air victory in the history of jet aircraft combat. However, there remains uncertainty on this issue, because, according to American sources, one Shooting Star was indeed lost that day, but it was shot down by anti-aircraft guns in the morning.

Semen Khominich was born in Ukraine. He was born on February 14, 1923, in the village of Zhikhov, Sumy region. From 1942, he served in the Red Army and took part in the German-Soviet War. After graduating from flight school, he fought in the 72nd GVA, flew 10 air battles in a P-39 Airacobra fighter, and had two FW 190s shot down to his credit. In the Korean War, Kholmich was credited with only one kill — the same Shooting Star. He continued to serve until 1968 and retired with the rank of colonel. Semen Kholmich died on July 7, 2003.