VP-62 (1942–1950)

Patrol Squadron 62
Patrol Squadron 62
Active	3 May 1942 – 30 January 1950
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	squadron
Role	Maritime patrol
Engagements	World War II
Aircraft flown
Patrol	PBY-5/5A ; SBD-3 ; J2F-5 ; PV-1 ; SNB-1/JRB-1/SNB-3P ; SNJ-5 ; PB4Y-1/1P

Last updated February 04, 2024

VP-62 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established Fleet Air Photographic Squadron, Atlantic Fleet (FltAirPhotoRonLant), on 3 May 1942, redesignated Fleet Air Photographic Squadron 2 (FAPS-2) on 11 October 1942, redesignated Photographic Squadron 2 (VD-2) on 1 March 1943, redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) 2 (VPP-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 30 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-62, the first VP-62 was disestablished on 1 July 1943 and the second VP-62 was redesignated VPB-62 on 1 October 1944.^[1]

Operational history

3 May 1942: FltAirPhotoRonLant was established at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, as a separate command under the operational control of Commander Patrol Wings, Atlantic Fleet. The squadron had already been in operation as a unit since 30 July 1941 flying a PBY-5 Catalina and SBD-3 Dauntless. The unit’s mission prior to May 1942 was involved in completing an aerial survey in the Bahamas, Trinidad and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. After its official establishment the squadron continued the survey of Great Exhuma and Hog Island in the Bahamas group.
1 March 1943: FAP-2 was redesignated VD-2. Until 13 May 1943, the squadron remained under Commander PatWingsLant. Subsequently, with the reorganization of Patrol Wings in 1943, the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-5.
16 August – 16 September 1943: A detachment of VD-2 deployed to the Canadian Arctic to conduct mapping and aerial surveys. Three squadron aircrews of six officer pilots and 16 enlisted personnel were assigned to conduct photographic mapping of Frobisher Bay, Koksoak River and Ungava Bay. Aircraft used in the task were a PBY-5A Catalina, PV-1 Ventura and an SNB-1. The detachment returned to NAS Norfolk on 16 September 1943.
17 September 1943: Depth charges being handled in Hangar V-30 by another squadron exploded, killing nine enlisted members of VD-2 and destroying half of the squadron’s aircraft. The remaining aircraft were later moved to Hangar LP-2 for repairs. In the interim, squadron personnel were assigned to NAS Photographic Laboratory, Norfolk, Va., until VD-2 could again become operational.
1 January 1944: VD-2 conducted a split deployment, with one detachment mapping Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the second detachment mapping Colombia and Venezuela. The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk at the end of April 1944.
1 March 1944: A special Aerial Mapping Unit detachment of six officers, six radiomen and eight photographers was transferred to Commander Fleet Air Wings, West Coast.
30 April 1944: A second detachment was formed from the ranks of VD-2 to staff a new Photographic Reconnaissance Training School at NAF New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. The school would train fleet officer and enlisted personnel in aerial survey and photographic mapping techniques. The detachment remained at NAF New Cumberland through September 1945.
12 May – 31 July 1944: The remaining detachment of the squadron deployed once again to the North Atlantic to conduct aerial surveys of southern Greenland, Frobisher Bay and Ungava Bay, Canada. The detachment returned to NAS Norfolk on 31 July 1944.
14 November –29 December 1944: VD-2 conducted a resurvey of selected areas of the north coast of Venezuela, the east and west coasts of British Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk on 29 December 1944.
18 January – July 1945: VD-2 returned to Central America to conduct aerial surveys of the east and west coasts of Mexico. The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk in mid-July 1945.
June 1946: VD-2 was relocated from NAS Norfolk to NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey. A few months earlier, the squadron had received seven PB4Y-1 Liberators to supplement the two SNB-1 Kansans and three SNJ-5 Texans in its normal operating complement.
September 1946: With postwar reductions in effect, the squadron was reduced to a complement of eight aircraft: six PB4Y-1P Liberators and two SNB-1 Kansans.
15 November 1946: VD-2 was redesignated VPP-2. The squadron remained at NAS Atlantic City, with an operating complement of seven PB4Y-1P aircraft. The squadron’s location, mission and composition remained relatively unchanged through May 1948.
June 1948: VPP-2 was given a permanent change of station to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. The authorized complement of aircraft remained at six PB4Y-1P Liberators, but the on-hand aircraft had dropped to only three PB4Y-1Ps and 1 SNB-3P Navigator.
1 September 1948: VPP-2 was redesignated VP-62, but its primary mission continued to be photographic reconnaissance and aerial mapping. The squadron complement of aircraft remained stable at approximately six operational aircraft on hand, usually five PB4Y-1P Liberators and one SNB-3P Kansan.
30 January 1950: VP-62 was disestablished.^[1]

Aircraft assignments

The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown:^[1]

PBY-5 - July 1941
SBD-3 - September 1941
J2F-5 May 1942
PBY-5A - September 1943
PV-1 - September 1943
SNB-1 - September 1943
JRB-1 - January 1946
SNJ-5 - January 1946
PB4Y-1 - March 1946
PB4Y-1P - September 1946
SNB-3P - June 1948

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:^[1]

NAS Norfolk, Virginia - 3 May 1942
NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey - June 1946
NAS Patuxent River, Maryland - June 1948

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-22 (1943–1994)</span> Military unit

VP-22 was a long-lived Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy, nicknamed the Dragons from 1944 to 1950, and the Blue Geese from 1951 to 1994. It was established as Bombing Squadron VB-102 on 15 February 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-102 on 1 October 1944, redesignated VP-102 on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) VP-HL-2 on 15 November 1946, redesignated VP-22 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1994. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-22, the first VP-22 was disestablished, merged with VP-101 on 18 April 1942 and the second VP-22 was redesignated VPB-22 on 1 October 1944.

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VPB-23 was a patrol bombing squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 10-S (VP-10S) on 1 July 1930, redesignated Patrol Squadron 10-F (VP-10F) on 17 July 1933, redesignated Patrol Squadron 10 (VP-10) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 25 (VP-25) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 23 (VP-23) on 1 August 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 23 (VPB-23) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 25 January 1946.

VP-20 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 8-S (VP-8S) from elements of VT-9S on 1 July 1929, redesignated Patrol Squadron 8-F (VP-8F) on 3 April 1933, redesignated Patrol Squadron 8 (VP-8) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12) on 1 August 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 120 (VPB-120) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 120 (VP-120) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 10 (VP-HL-10) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 20 (VP-20) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1949. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-20, the first VP-20 was redesignated VP-44 on 1 July 1940 and the second VP-20 was redesignated VPB-20 on 1 October 1944.

VP-21 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Established as Bombing Squadron 111 (VB-111) on 30 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 111 (VPB-111) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 111 (VP-111) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 11 (VP-HL-11) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 21 November 1969. It was the fifth squadron to be designated VP-21, the first VP-21 was redesignated VP-45 on 1 July 1939, the second VP-21 was redesignated VP-1 on 30 July 1940, the third VP-21 was disestablished on 18 April 1942 and the fourth VP-21 was redesignated VPB-21 on 1 October 1944.

VP-27 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 83 (VP-83) on 15 September 1941, redesignated Bombing Squadron 107 (VB-107) on 15 May 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 107 (VPB-107) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 107 (VP-107) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 7 (VP-HL-7) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 27 (VP-27) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 11 January 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VP-28</span> Military unit

VP-28 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108) on 1 July 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 108 (VPB-108) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 108 (VP-108) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 8 (VP-HL-8) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 28 (VP-28) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-28, the first VP-28 had that designation in 1944 and 1946.

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VP-32 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 6 September 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 62 (VPB-62) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron 2 (VP-AM-2) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 32 (VP-32) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 6 June 1949. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-32, the first VP-32 was redesignated VP-52 on 1 July 1941.

VP-33 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 12-F (VP-12F) on 1 November 1935, redesignated Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 51 (VP-51) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 71 (VP-71) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 71 (VPB-71) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 71 (VP-71) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron 3 (VP-AM-3) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 33 (VP-33) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 15 December 1949. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-33; the first had been redesignated from VP-5 on 1 July 1939 and was in turn redesignated as VP-32 on 1 October 1941. The second VP-33 was redesignated VPB-33 on 1 October 1944.

VP-34 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 15-F (VP-15F) on 1 September 1936, redesignated Patrol Squadron 15 (VP-15) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 73 (VP-73) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 73 (VPB-73) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 73 (VP-73) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-AM-4) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 34 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 30 June 1956. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-34, the first VP-34 was redesignated VPB-34 on 1 October 1944.

VP-40 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 55 (VP-55) on 1 August 1940, redesignated Patrol Squadron 74 (VP-74) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 74 (VPB-74) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 74 (VP-74) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 10 (VP-MS-10) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 25 January 1950.

VP-61 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Photographic Squadron 5 (VD-5) on 1 June 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) 1 (VPP-1) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 61 (VP-61) on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 17 January 1950. It was the third squadron to be designated VP-61, the first VP-61 was redesignated VP-82 on 1 July 1941 and the second VP-61 was redesignated VPB-61 on 1 October 1944.

VP-106 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Bombing Squadron 106 (VB-106) on 1 June 1943, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 106 (VPB-106) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 106 (VP-106) on 15 May 1946 and disestablished on 5 October 1946.

VPB-197 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 September 1938, redesignated Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) on 1 December 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26) on 15 April 1941, redesignated Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 14 (VPB-14) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 197 (VPB-197) on 2 December 1944 and disestablished on 1 April 1946.

VPB-52 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Torpedo Squadron 3D15 (VT-3D15) on 12 July 1928, redesignated Patrol Squadron 3-S (VP-3S) on 21 January 1931, redesignated Patrol Squadron 3 Base Force (VP-3F) on 17 July 1933, redesignated Patrol Squadron 3 (VP-3) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 32 (VP-32) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 52 (VP-52) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 52 (VPB-52) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 7 April 1945.

VPB-121 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 19 (VP-19) on 1 October 1937, redesignated Patrol Squadron 43 (VP-43) on 1 July 1939, redesignated Patrol Squadron 81 (VP-81) on 1 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 121 (VPB-121) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 1 June 1946.

VP-AM-1 was a Amphibian Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 1 May 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 53 (VPB-53) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 53 (VP-53) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Amphibious Patrol Squadron 1 (VP-AM-1) on 15 November 1946 and disestablished on 5 May 1948.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons .

1 2 3 4 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (1st VP-62 to VP-90). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 323–5. Retrieved 15 June 2016.

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[DANAS2-3-1] 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories (1st VP-62 to VP-90). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. pp. 323–5. Retrieved 15 June 2016.

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