462nd Tactical Fighter Squadron explained

Unit Name:	462d Tactical Fighter Squadron
Dates:	1944-1959
Role:	Fighter

The 462d Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 506th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It was inactivated on 1 April 1959.

History

Trained in the continental United States, Oct 1944 – Feb 1945. Moved to western Pacific Ocean in spring of 1945. Escorted B-29 bombers in raids against Japan, and attacked targets such as enemy airfields, May-Aug 1945. Between 1953 and 1959 the unit trained for a variety of tactical air missions. Frequently deployed for training exercises, some of them overseas.

Lineage

• Constituted as 462d Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 5 Oct 1944

Activated on 21 Oct 1944

Inactivated on 16 Dec 1945

• Re-designated as 462d Strategic Fighter Squadron on 20 Nov 1952

Activated on 20 Jan 1953

Predesignated as: 462d Fighter-Day Squadron on 1 Jul 1957

Predesignated as: 462d Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 1 Jan 1958

Predesignated as: 462d Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1958

Inactivated on 1 Apr 1959

Assignments

• 506th Fighter Group, 21 Oct 1944 – 16 Dec 1945
• 506th Strategic Fighter (later, 506 Fighter-Day; 506 Fighter-Bomber; 506 Tactical Fighter) Wing, 20 Jan 1953 – 1 Apr 1959

Stations

• Lakeland Army Airfield, Florida, 21 Oct 1944 – 16 Feb 1945
• North Field, Iwo Jima, 25 Apr – 3 Dec 1945

Air echelon operated from West Field, Tinian, 23 Mar – 11 May 1945

• Camp Anza, California, 15-16 Dec 1945
• Dow AFB, Maine, 20 Jan 1953
• Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, 20 Mar 1955 – 1 Apr 1959

Aircraft

• P-51 Mustang, 1944-1945
• F-84 Thunderjet, 1953-1957
• F-100 Super Sabre, 1957-1958

References

• Book: Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II. 1969. reprint. 1982. Office of Air Force History. Washington, DC. 0-405-12194-6. 72556. 70605402.