62nd Fighter Squadron: Difference between revisions
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On 1 September 1974, the squadron became a fighter-training unit. Activating at [[Tyndall Air Force Base]], [[Florida]], the 62d assumed the mission of training [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4]] and [[F-106 Delta Dart|F-106]] weapons instructors at the United States Air Force interceptor [[USAF Weapons School|Weapons School]]. The following October, the flag moved again; this time to rejoin the [[56th Tactical Fighter Wing]] at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], Florida, and began training F-4 crews for [[Military tactics|tactical]] units around the world. |
On 1 September 1974, the squadron became a fighter-training unit. Activating at [[Tyndall Air Force Base]], [[Florida]], the 62d assumed the mission of training [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4]] and [[F-106 Delta Dart|F-106]] weapons instructors at the United States Air Force interceptor [[USAF Weapons School|Weapons School]]. The following October, the flag moved again; this time to rejoin the [[56th Tactical Fighter Wing]] at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], Florida, and began training F-4 crews for [[Military tactics|tactical]] units around the world. |
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On 1 January 1981, the squadron transitioned to the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]" and the squadron was re-designated as the 62d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. Beginning in late 1988 the unit converted over to the block 30 model of the F-16C/D. On 1 November 1991 the squadron was once again re-designated back to what it was in WWII as the 62nd Fighter Squadron with the adoption of the objective organization plan by the Wing. |
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With the end of the Cold War in the early 90's it was announced that MacDill AFB would be closed. The squadrons of the 56th FW would be deactivated starting with the 72d Fighter Squadron and worked its way sequentially down to the 61st Fighter Squadron. Therefore the 62d Fighter Squadron was second to last to disband. The squadron, however, continued to train fighter pilots until its inactivation on 12 May 1993 to prepare for the move to Luke AFB, Arizona were it would continue as an F-16 training squadron. |
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===Modern era=== |
===Modern era=== |
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Once the move was made to Luke AFB, the squadron was able to reactivate on 18 March 1994. By that time the 58th FW at Luke had been re-designated as the 56th FW so the squadron always remained part of that wing. Although the squadron moved, the Block 30 aircraft at MacDill AFB did not move with the squadron. Instead the 62nd Fighter Squadron converted to the block 25 F-16 at Luke. |
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On 1 January 1981, the squadron transitioned to the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]" and continued to train fighter pilots until the squadron's inactivation on 12 May 1993. The 62d Fighter Squadron was reactivated on 18 March 1994, at [[Luke Air Force Base]], where it currently flies the F-16 Block 25 aircraft.<ref name="56 OG Fact Sheet"/> |
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Pilot training for students assigned to the 62d FS is a standard syllabus, one that gets students their first look at the F-16 and prepare them for service with active duty units. The squadron's mission is to "Graduate flight pilots who meet or exceed syllabus standards and their gaining units' expectations. Teach the B-course students what it means to be a fighter pilot. Actively promote quality of life and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth." |
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In 2004, the F-16s were updated to Block 25 aircraft.<ref name="56 OG Fact Sheet"/> |
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===Lineage=== |
===Lineage=== |
Revision as of 13:50, 21 May 2011
62d Fighter Squadron | |
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Active | 15 January 1941 - 18 October 1945 1 May 1946 - 30 April 1971 1 September 1974 - 14 May 1993 18 March 1994 - Present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Fighter Training |
Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 56th Fighter Wing 56th Operations Group |
Garrison/HQ | Luke Air Force Base |
Nickname(s) | Spike War Dawgs |
Decorations | DUC AFOUA |
The 62d Fighter Squadron (62 FS) is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
Mission
The 62d Fighter Squadron ("Spikes", Tailband: White & Blue), operates a mix of F-16Cs and F-16Ds from Blocks 42C and 42D conducting F-16 crew training for active duty USAF pilots.
History
World War II
The 62d Fighter Squadron was constituted as the 62d Pursuit Squadron as part of the 56th Pursuit Group at Savannah, Georgia, on 15 January 1941. The squadron immediately began training for its wartime missions, rapidly transitioning through the P-35, P-36, P-39, and P-40 aircraft. On 7 December 1941, the 62d stepped up to defend the Northeastern United States from anticipated enemy air attack while it converted to the P-47 aircraft and prepared to deploy overseas.
The squadron arrived in England on 9 January 1943, and was declared operationally ready two months later and flew its first combat missions 13 April.[1]
Cold War
Following World War II the 62d began flying the P-51 and P-80, the squadron performed escort duty for the Strategic Air Command bombers, deploying to Alaska and Europe in this role. In 1948, the squadron converted to the interceptor role, a mission the squadron would maintain until 1971. Stationed in the northern tier of the United States, the 62d Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew the P-80, F-86, and F-101 on patrol against the ever-present Soviet bomber threat. A highlight from this era was the squadron capturing top F-101 squadron honors at the William Tell 1965, USAF Worldwide Weapons Meet.[1]
On 1 September 1974, the squadron became a fighter-training unit. Activating at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, the 62d assumed the mission of training F-4 and F-106 weapons instructors at the United States Air Force interceptor Weapons School. The following October, the flag moved again; this time to rejoin the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and began training F-4 crews for tactical units around the world.
On 1 January 1981, the squadron transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon" and the squadron was re-designated as the 62d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. Beginning in late 1988 the unit converted over to the block 30 model of the F-16C/D. On 1 November 1991 the squadron was once again re-designated back to what it was in WWII as the 62nd Fighter Squadron with the adoption of the objective organization plan by the Wing.
With the end of the Cold War in the early 90's it was announced that MacDill AFB would be closed. The squadrons of the 56th FW would be deactivated starting with the 72d Fighter Squadron and worked its way sequentially down to the 61st Fighter Squadron. Therefore the 62d Fighter Squadron was second to last to disband. The squadron, however, continued to train fighter pilots until its inactivation on 12 May 1993 to prepare for the move to Luke AFB, Arizona were it would continue as an F-16 training squadron.
Modern era
Once the move was made to Luke AFB, the squadron was able to reactivate on 18 March 1994. By that time the 58th FW at Luke had been re-designated as the 56th FW so the squadron always remained part of that wing. Although the squadron moved, the Block 30 aircraft at MacDill AFB did not move with the squadron. Instead the 62nd Fighter Squadron converted to the block 25 F-16 at Luke.
Pilot training for students assigned to the 62d FS is a standard syllabus, one that gets students their first look at the F-16 and prepare them for service with active duty units. The squadron's mission is to "Graduate flight pilots who meet or exceed syllabus standards and their gaining units' expectations. Teach the B-course students what it means to be a fighter pilot. Actively promote quality of life and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth."
In 2004, the F-16s were updated to Block 25 aircraft.[1]
Lineage
- Constituted as 62d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940
- Activated on 15 Jan 1941
- Re-designated: 62d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 Jan 1942
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron on 1 Jun 1942
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 28 Feb 1944
- Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945
- Activated on 1 May 1946
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron, Jet Propelled, on 24 Apr 1947
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron, Jet, on 14 Jun 1948
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 Jan 1950
- Inactivated on 30 Apr 1971
- Re-designated as 62d Fighter-Interceptor Training Squadron on 15 Aug 1974
- Activated on 1 Sep 1974
- Re-designated: 62d Tactical Fighter Squadron on 30 Jun 1975
- Re-designated: 62d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 1 Jan 1981
- Re-designated: 62d Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991
- Inactivated on 14 May 1993
- Activated on 18 Mar 1994.
Assignments
- 56th Pursuit (later, 56th Fighter) Group, 15 Jan 1941-18 Oct 1945
- 56th Fighter (later, 56th Fighter-Interceptor) Group, 1 May 1946
- Attached to: Alaskan Provisional Wing, c. 28 Dec 1946-c. 10 Apr 1947
- Attached to: 30th Air Division, c. 28 Jul 1950-30 Apr 1951
- Attached to: 142d Fighter Interceptor Group, 1 May 1951-5 Feb 1952
- 4706th Defense Wing, 6 Feb 1952
- 501st Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1953
- 56th Fighter Group, 18 Aug 1955
- Attached to 473d Fighter Group, 1 Aug-30 Sep 1959
- 56th Fighter Wing, 1 Feb 1961
- Duluth Air Defense Sector, 16 Dec 1963
- 29th Air Division, 1 Apr 1966
- 34th Air Division, 15 Sep 1969
- 29th Air Division, 14 Nov 1969
- 23d Air Division, 19 Nov 1969-30 Apr 1971
- Air Defense Weapons Center, 1 Sep 1974
- 56th Tactical Fighter (later, 56th Tactical Training; 56th Fighter) Wing, 30 Jun 1975
- 56th Operations Group, 1 Nov 1991-14 May 1993
- 58th Operations Group, 18 Mar 1994
- 56th Operations Group, 1 Apr 1994-Present
Stations
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Aircraft
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Operations
References
External Links