The 42d Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit, formed in 1985 by the consolidation of two units. The first is the 2d Search Attack Squadron, which tested antisubmarine warfare tactics and equipment at Langley Field, Virginia during World War II. The second is the 942d Forward Air Control Squadron, which was activated following the Korean War, but does not appear to have been equipped or manned. The consolidated squadron has not been active.
| 2d Search Attack Squadron (later 42d Tactical Missile Squadron) | |
|---|---|
 B-34 Ventura as flown by the squadron | |
| Active | 1942-1944; 1953-1954 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Antisubmarine warfare testing |
| Engagements | American Theater of World War II |
| Insignia | |
| 2d Search Attack Squadron emblem (approved 9 January 1943)[1] |  |
History edit
World War II edit
The first predecessor of the squadron was activated at Langley Field, Virginia as the 2d Search Attack Squadron. The squadron was primarily equipped with Douglas B-18 Bolos. It tested electronic equipment and trained crews for its use in antisubmarine operations; antisubmarine patrols, July 1942 until late 1943."[1]
Cold War edit
The second predecessor of the squadron is the 942d Forward Air Control Squadron, which was activated as the Korean War was ending in June 1953. With the end of the war the following month, it apparently was not manned or equipped until it was inacrivated in March 1954.[2]
The two squadrons were consolidated in September 1985 as the 42d Tactical Missile Squadron.[3]
Lineage edit
- 2d Search Attack Unit
- Constituted as the 2d Search Attack Squadron (Medium) on 8 June 1942
- Activated on 17 June 1942
- Redesignated 2d Sea-Search Attack Squadron (Heavy) on 24 June 1943
- Redesignated 2d Search Attack Squadron (Heavy) on 22 November 1943
- Disbanded on 10 April 1944[1]
- Reconstituted and consolidated with the 942d Forward Air Control Squadron as the 42d Tactical Missile Squadron on 19 September 1985[3]
- 942d Forward Air Control Squadron
- Constituted as the 942d Forward Air Control Squadron on 18 March 1953
- Activated 20 June 1953
- Inactivated on 8 March 1954
- Consolidated with the 2d Search Attack Squadron as the 42d Tactical Missile Squadron on 19 September 1985[3]
Assignments edit
- 1st Sea-Search Attack Group (later 1st Sea-Search Attack Unit, 1st Search Attack Group)]], 17 June 1942 – 10 April 1944[1]
- Air echelon attached to I Bomber Command, 17-23 Apr 1942
Stations edit
- Langley Field, Virginia, 17 June 1942 – 10 April 1944 operated from: Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, 17–23 August 1942; Rdinburgh Field, Trinidad, 20 September-21 October 1942[1]
- Chunchon Air Base, South Korea, 20 Jun 1953-8 Mar 1954
Aircraft edit
- North American B-25 Mitchell, 1942
- Douglas B-18 Bolo/ 1942–1943
- Lockheed B-34 Ventura, 1943–1944[1]
See also edit
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ a b c d e f Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 17
- ^ See Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons (inactivation date)
- ^ a b c Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons
Bibliography edit
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.