| Unit Name: | 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron |
| Dates: | 1943–1946, 1946-1951, 1971-1989, 2003-present |
| Role: | Reconnaissance and Attack |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison: | Kandahar Airfield |
| Battles: | European Theatre of Operations Korean War War on Terror War in Afghanistan[1] |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 62d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 24 February 1949) |
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.
The unit operates Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over locations in Central Asia as part of the Global War on Terrorism.[2]
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.
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.
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.
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]
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]
Reactivated in 2003 as provisional expeditionary reconnaissance squadron by Air Combat Command, operating UAVs as part of the Global War on Terrorism attached to USAFCENT forces in Central Asia.
Activated on 1 March 1943
Redesignated 382d Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943
Redesignated 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 25 August 1944
Inactivated on 3 February 1946
Activated on 29 July 1946
Redesignated 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic on 14 June 1948
Inactivated on 25 February 1951
Activated on 15 October 1971
Redesignated 62d Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron on 1 July 1982
Inactivated on 31 December 1989
451st Air Expeditionary Wing, 26 February 2003 –1 May 2007
Attached to: 432d Operations Group, 1 May 2007 – present
Aircraft operating from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (or other undisclosed locations), 1 May 2007 - present