| Unit Name: | 72d Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron |
| Dates: | 1969–1988; after 2009 |
| Type: | Expeditionary |
| Role: | Air Support Operations |
| Size: | Squadron |
| Command Structure: | 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group |
| Garrison: | somewhere in the Middle East |
| Motto: | Extremum Vigilate Latin[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 72d Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron emblem (approved 24 May 1977) |
The United States Air Force's 72d Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron is a combat support unit located at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. The 72d provides tactical command and control of airpower assets for the Joint Forces Air Component Commander in support of the Joint Forces Land Component Commander in combat operations.
The squadron was first activated in June 1969 at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, when Tactical Air Command organized separate units for its mobile Combat Reporting Posts. It drew its personnel and equipment from its parent squadron, the 4465th Tactical Control Squadron, which continued to operate a Combat Reporting Center. In October, the 4465th was inactivated and transferred its mission, personnel and equipment to the 726th Tactical Control Squadron, which was simultaneously activated.[2] The flight continued this mission from several bases in the eastern United States until inactivating in March 1988.[1]
In February 2009, the flight was renamed the 72d Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, converted to provisional status, and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed.[1]
Activated on 25 June 1969
Inactivated on 31 March 1988