42nd Tactical Missile Squadron

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
Active1942-1944; 1953-1954
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAntisubmarine warfare testing
EngagementsAmerican Theater of World War II
Insignia
2d Search Attack Squadron emblem (approved 9 January 1943)[1]

History

World War II

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

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
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
Air echelon attached to I Bomber Command, 17-23 Apr 1942

Stations
  • 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

See also

References

Notes
  1. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 17
  2. 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)
  3. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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