Grigoriy Ohay Fighter pilot Date of Birth: 05.01.1917 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Military Service
2. Aviation Training and the Soviet-Finnish War
3. World War II and Transition to Fighter Aviation
4. The Korean War and Combat Success
5. Notable Engagements and Tactics
6. Assessment of the MiG-15 and Sabre
7. Combat Statistics and Legacy
8. Post-War Career and Retirement

Early Life and Military Service

Grigory Ulyanovich Okhay was born on January 5, 1917, in Tokmak, now part of the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Born to a working-class family, he completed 7 grades of secondary school before attending Rabfak (Workers' Faculty) and the first year of the Melitopol Pedagogical Institute. He later worked at a diesel engine factory. In 1935, he joined the Red Army.

Aviation Training and the Soviet-Finnish War

Okhay graduated from the Voroshilovgrad Military Aviation School for Pilots in 1937 and completed officer training courses in 1941. During the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940, he served as a bombardier on an SB aircraft, where he earned his first combat medal, the "For Courage", for successfully bombing a mine factory on the outskirts of Sortavala.

World War II and Transition to Fighter Aviation

With the outbreak of World War II, Okhay rapidly trained on the Yak-1 aircraft and became an instructor, training nearly 300 pilots. In 1943, he experienced the horrors of aerial combat firsthand, joining the 18th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and shooting down six enemy aircraft.

The Korean War and Combat Success

In 1950, Okhay became deputy commander of his regiment and mastered the MiG-15 aircraft. In March 1951, he participated in a "special assignment" in Korea, where he was known as "Gu-O-Hai", a Chinese People's Volunteer pilot. On June 22, 1951, he engaged in his first air battle against 32 American F-86 Sabre jets. He successfully shot down one Sabre, which was hindered by its inability to jettison its external fuel tank.

Notable Engagements and Tactics

Okhay participated in numerous other air battles and distinguished himself as a skilled pilot. In one notable engagement, he led a group of 24 MiG-15s against six Gloster Meteor fighters. His maneuverability enabled him to shoot down two Meteors, while his fellow pilots accounted for three more.

Assessment of the MiG-15 and Sabre

Okhay highly praised the MiG-15 for its durability and praised its superior maneuverability at high altitudes. However, he recognized the advantages of the Sabre at low altitudes, particularly its effective air brakes. He emphasized the importance of using advantageous tactics to overcome these differences.

Combat Statistics and Legacy

During his deployment in Korea, Okhay flew 122 combat missions and destroyed 11 enemy aircraft. He participated in 86 air battles, remaining unscathed while his MiG-15 only sustained minor damage. For his valor, he was awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union on November 13, 1951.

Post-War Career and Retirement

Okhay retired from active service in 1960 with the rank of Colonel. He settled in Dnipropetrovsk and worked in the Civil Air Fleet until 1978. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, and two Orders of the Red Star.