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62d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 24 February 1949)[1]
Military unit
The 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. It is a provisional squadron of
Air Combat Command, attached to the
432d Air Expeditionary Operations Group, stationed at
Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. The primary mission of the 62d EATKS is to launch and recover all the Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Afghanistan.
Activated as part of
IV Fighter Command in early 1943, engaged in Air Defense of the
San Francisco area as well as a Replacement Training Unit until the end of 1943. The squadron was trained as a
North American P-51 Mustang unit, then dispatched across the Atlantic to join
IX Fighter Command in the United Kingdom. It provided air support to Allied ground forces in France and carried out air defence missions, attacking enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat over Europe.[3]
Converted to a tactical reconnaissance squadron in August 1944, engaging in hazardous reconnaissance flights over enemy-controlled territory, gathering intelligence for Allied commanders. Advanced eastward across France using forward combat airfields, then into the Low Countries as well as Occupied Germany until the end of combat in Europe, May 1945.[4]
Postwar era
Remained in Germany as part of the
United States Air Forces in Europe occupation forces, returning to
MacDill Field, Florida, in December 1945. Equipped with
Douglas FA-26C Invaders for night reconnaissance. The FA-26 (later RB-26) was an A-26 with all guns removed and cameras installed throughout the aircraft.
Korean War
Due to the pressing needs of
Far East Air Forces in Japan the 162d and the photo-processing 363d Reconnaissance Technical Squadron moved from
Langley Air Force Base to
Itazuke Air Base, Japan on 18 August 1950 for Korean War service and began operations as part of the
543d Tactical Support Group, flying RB-26 Invader night reconnaissance missions. It later moved to a forward base,
Taegu Air Base (K-2) in South Korea on 8 Oct 1950, returning to
Komaki Air Base, Japan on 26 January 1951. The squadron was inactivated on 25 Feb 1951.[1]
Reconnaissance training
Reactivated in 1971 as the 62d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, being equipped with
McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft. Performed replacement training for reconnaissance pilots, 1971-1982 until its parent
363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was re-equipped with
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons and became a tactical fighter squadron. Also operated flight of
Martin EB-57E Canberras performing electronic jamming mission with RF-4Cs on simulated combat missions. Retired B-57s in 1976, being the last USAF active-duty squadron to fly the B-57. moved to
Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas along with RF-4Cs and continued replacement pilot training mission until RF-4Cs were retired in 1989, then inactivated.[1]
Expeditionary operations
MQ-9 Reaper from the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron takes off from Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, March 13, 2009.
363d Reconnaissance Group (later 363d Tactical Reconnaissance) Group), 29 July 1946 (attached to Fifth Air Force 18 August-26 September 1950, 543d Tactical Support Group after 26 September 1950)
543d Tactical Support Group, 10 October 1950 – 25 February 1951
363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (later 363d Tactical Fighter Wing), 15 October 1971 (attached to
10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 5–24 March 1976, 12–26 July 1978, 24 July-24 August 1979, 20 May-22 June 1982)
Langley Field (later Langley Air Force Base), Virginia, 20 December 1946 – 28 July 1950
Itazuke Air Base, Japan, 18 August 1950
Taegu Air Base, South Korea, 8 October 1950
Komaki Air Base, Japan, 26 January–25 February 1951
Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, 15 October 1971 (deployed to
RAF Alconbury, England, 5–24 March 1976, 24 July-24 August 1979, 20 May-22 June 1982;
RAF Coltishall, England, 12–26 June 1978
Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, 1 Jul 1982-31 Dec 1989[8]