VFP-62
Encyclopedia
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy
in service from 1949 to 1968. The squadron provided a detachment of reconnaissance planes for each of the Carrier Air Wing
s of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet
.
VFP-62 was established in January 1949 as Composite Squadron VC-62 Fighting Photos and was equipped with Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat
and Vought F4U-5P Corsair
reconnaissance planes. The first detachment was assigned to Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7)
aboard the aircraft carrier from September 1949 to January 1950 for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
Detachments of the squadron operated from all attack carriers based on the U.S. East Coast. Only from September 1950 to February 1951 a detachment operated during the Korean War
from the USS Leyte as part of CVG-3
.
In 1951 the squadron was equipped with the McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee
. On 2 July 1956 the squadron was redesignated Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-62 and transitioned to the Grumman F9F-6P Cougar
(later F9F-8P). Three years later the squadron received its first Vought F8U-1P Crusader
aircraft, which were redesignated RF-8A in 1962. In 1966 these aircraft were upgraded to the RF-8G.
VFP-62 is are best known as the squadron who took the first low-level photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis
in October of 1962. At the time, it was commanded by US Navy Commander William Ecker
. In 2000, the movie Thirteen Days (film)
, produced by Kevin Costner
, showed the actions of Ecker and the other members of VFP-62 during the Missile Crisis.
From June 1966 to February 1967 VFP-62 Det.42 operated from the off Vietnam
as part of CVW-1
.
VFP-62 was disestablished on 1 January 1968.
personally by President John F. Kennedy
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in service from 1949 to 1968. The squadron provided a detachment of reconnaissance planes for each of the Carrier Air Wing
Carrier Air Wing
This article is about the game. For the naval unit, please see Carrier Air Wing.Carrier Air Wing, released in Japan as , is a 1990 side scrolling shooting game released for the CP System arcade hardware by Capcom. It is the spiritual sequel to U.N. Squadron, released during the previous year...
s of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
.
VFP-62 was established in January 1949 as Composite Squadron VC-62 Fighting Photos and was equipped with Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat
F8F Bearcat
The Grumman F8F Bearcat was an American single-engine naval fighter aircraft of the 1940s. It went on to serve into the mid-20th century in the United States Navy and other air forces, and would be the company's final piston engined fighter aircraft...
and Vought F4U-5P Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
reconnaissance planes. The first detachment was assigned to Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7)
Carrier Air Wing Seven
Carrier Air Wing Seven , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier .-Mission:...
aboard the aircraft carrier from September 1949 to January 1950 for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
Detachments of the squadron operated from all attack carriers based on the U.S. East Coast. Only from September 1950 to February 1951 a detachment operated during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
from the USS Leyte as part of CVG-3
Carrier Air Wing Three
Carrier Air Wing Three , known as the "Battle Axe", is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S...
.
In 1951 the squadron was equipped with the McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee
F2H Banshee
The McDonnell F2H Banshee was a single-seat carrier-based jet fighter aircraft deployed by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps from 1948 to 1961. It was one of the primary American fighters used during the Korean War and was the only jet-powered fighter ever deployed by the Royal...
. On 2 July 1956 the squadron was redesignated Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-62 and transitioned to the Grumman F9F-6P Cougar
F9F Cougar
The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing...
(later F9F-8P). Three years later the squadron received its first Vought F8U-1P Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
aircraft, which were redesignated RF-8A in 1962. In 1966 these aircraft were upgraded to the RF-8G.
VFP-62 is are best known as the squadron who took the first low-level photos of the Soviet missile bases in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
in October of 1962. At the time, it was commanded by US Navy Commander William Ecker
William Ecker
William Ecker was born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. A career officer and Naval Aviator, he served in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1974. He is most famous for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962...
. In 2000, the movie Thirteen Days (film)
Thirteen Days (film)
Thirteen Days is a 2000 docudrama directed by Roger Donaldson about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, seen from the perspective of the US political leadership. Kevin Costner stars, with Bruce Greenwood featured as John F. Kennedy....
, produced by Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
, showed the actions of Ecker and the other members of VFP-62 during the Missile Crisis.
From June 1966 to February 1967 VFP-62 Det.42 operated from the off Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
as part of CVW-1
Carrier Air Wing One
Carrier Air Wing One is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier .-Mission:...
.
VFP-62 was disestablished on 1 January 1968.
Unit awards
On November 26, 1962, VFP-62 was awarded the first peacetime Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
personally by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.