The Operation Moolah

Operation Moolah was a United States Air Force (USAF) attempt to obtain a fully capable Soviet MiG-15 jet fighter through defection during the Korean War. Communist forces launched the MiG-15 in Korea on November 1, 1950. USAF pilots reported that the MiG-15 performed better than all United Nations (UN) aircraft, including the latest USAF aircraft, the F-86 Saber.

The operation focused on influencing communist pilots to defect to South Korea with MiGs for a financial reward. The success of the operation is controversial as no communist pilots were convicted before the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. However, on September 21, 1953, North Korean pilot Lieutenant No Kum-seok flew his MiG-15 to Kimpo Air Base, South Korea unaware of Operation Moolah.