VP-62 was a Patrol Squadron of the
U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 1 May 1942 and disestablished on 1 July 1943.
Operational history
*1 May 1942: VP-62 was established at
NAS Alameda, California, under the operational control of FAW14, as a seaplane squadron flying the
PBY-5A Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was known as the Canso. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served wit ...
. Training continued at Alameda through early July 1942.
*19–26 July 1942: VP-62 departed NAS Alameda for
NAS Kodiak, Alaska. After reporting for duty to FAW-4, the squadron was ordered to
Cold Bay, Alaska, where the squadron became operational on 26 July 1942.
*5 September 1942: VP-62 was relocated to
Dutch Harbor
Dutch Harbor is a harbor on Amaknak Island in Unalaska, Alaska. It was the location of the Battle of Dutch Harbor in June 1942, and was one of the few sites in the United States to be subjected to aerial bombardment by a foreign power during Worl ...
with a detachment at
Umnak, Alaska. At Dutch Harbor the squadron relieved
VP-41
VP-41 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 1 March 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 21 (VPB-21) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 21 (VP-21) on 15 May 1946, r ...
and joined the 12 PBYs of
VP-42
VP-42 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 7 April 1944, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 22 (VPB-22) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 22 (VP-22) on 15 May 1946, r ...
in conducting sector searches and anti-shipping patrols. The Japanese navy had
occupied Attu and Kiska on 7 June 1942, putting Dutch Harbor right on the firing line. Most of the squadron aircraft were equipped with the often unreliable ASV Mark II radar. Due to the presence of enemy fighter aircraft, patrols had to be flown with takeoffs just before sunset and relying on radar for contacts.
*November 1942: VP-62 was relieved and returned to
NAS Seattle
Naval Station Puget Sound is a former United States Naval station located on Sand Point in Seattle, Washington. Today, the land is occupied by Magnuson Park.
History
After World War I, a movement was begun to build Naval Air Station Seattle a ...
, Washington, for overhaul of the squadron aircraft and crew leave. During this period the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-6. The squadron departed Seattle in mid-December for
NAS Adak
Naval Air Facility Adak , was a United States Navy airport located west of Adak, on Adak Island in the U.S. state of Alaska.. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 11 February 2010. After its closure in 1997, it was reopened as Adak Airpo ...
, Alaska.
*December 1942: VP-62 reported aboard at NAS Adak, coming under the operational control of FAW-4. The squadron deployed a detachment to
Amchitka
Amchitka (; ale, Amchixtax̂; russian: Амчитка) is a volcanic, tectonically unstable and uninhabited
island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska. It is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refu ...
and conducted offensive patrols along the Aleutians.
*June 1943: VP-62 was relieved for return to
NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. Upon arrival, squadron personnel were given orders and home leave.
*1 July 1943: VP-62 was disestablished at NAS Whidbey Island.
Aircraft assignments
The squadron was assigned the following aircraft, effective on the dates shown:
[
* ]PBY-5A
The Consolidated PBY Catalina is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft that was produced in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was known as the Canso. It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II. Catalinas served wit ...
- May 1942
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports, effective on the dates shown:[
* NAS Alameda, California - 1 May 1942
* ]NAS Seattle
Naval Station Puget Sound is a former United States Naval station located on Sand Point in Seattle, Washington. Today, the land is occupied by Magnuson Park.
History
After World War I, a movement was begun to build Naval Air Station Seattle a ...
, Washington - November 1942
* NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - June 1943
See also
* Maritime patrol aircraft
A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as a patrol aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, or by the older American term patrol bomber, is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol roles ...
* List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
There are hundreds of US Navy aircraft squadrons which are not currently active dating back to before World War II (the U.S. Navy operated aircraft prior to World War I, but it did not organize them in squadrons until after that war). To be mo ...
* List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*
* History of the United States Navy
The history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy" the ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vp-62
Patrol squadrons of the United States Navy
Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons