The squadron was first activated as the 72nd Liaison Squadron. After training in the United States with various liaison aircraft, the unit initially deployed to North Africa but did not receive any aircraft until arriving in Italy in July 1944, mostly liaison and courier services for the Fifth Army. Two flights of the squadron were transferred to Southern France in August and attached to the Seventh Army. The 72nd eventually earned an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for its wartime service. It briefly served in the occupation of Germany, before returning to the United States for inactivation. The squadron was again active from 1946 to 1949.[3]
History
World War II
L-5 Sentinel, primary aircraft of the 72d Liaison Squadron
The squadron arrived in Oran, Algeria, its first station in the Mediterranean, on 14 June 1944. It re-equipped with L-5s and moved to Italy, where it began combat operations and preparation for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France. The squadron moved to Saint-Tropez, France on 19 August 1944, five days after the initial amphibious assault. it moved north with Seventh Army, providing courier and light reconnaissance support.[6] By V-E Day, the squadron was located in Augsburg Airfield, and briefly served with the occupation forces.[2]
The squadron returned to the United States without personnel or equipment in August 1945, initially to the 3rd Air Force Assembly and Processing Station at Drew Field, Florida.[2] In September, it moved to Muskogee Army Air Field, Oklahoma, where it began to be manned and equipped with L-5G aircraft.[7] In November, it relocated to Marshall Field, Kansas, where it flew observation and visual reconnaissance missions for the Cavalry School.[8] It moved to Brooks Field, Texas in October 1946 and was inactivated there in December.[2]
Postwar operations
The squadron was again activated a few months later at Langley Field, Virginia, again equipped with the L-5 Sentinel.[2] It also had detachments at other Tactical Air Command bases.[9][10] The following year, it added the all metal Stinson L-13 and in 1948, operated the Sikorsky R-6 and Sikorsky H-5 helicopters.[2][11] However, after 1948, it only operated Sentinels. The squadron was inactivated in April 1949[2]
Helicopter operations
The squadron was redesignated the 72d Helicopter Flight and activated at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia on 1 November 1991, when it absorbed the personnel, and equipment of the 4401st Helicopter Flight, which had been activated at Langley on 15 March 1987. In October 1992, it was expanded to become the 72d Helicopter Squadron. The unit transported personnel and equipment and provided search and rescue assistance until inactivating in December 1995. It was awarded an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its performance between 1992 and 1994.[2]
Lineage
Constituted as the 72d Liaison Squadron on 2 April 1943
Activated on 11 April 1943
Inactivated on 31 March 1945
Activated on 3 October 1946
Inactivated on 1 April 1949
Redesignated 72d Helicopter Flight
Activated 1 November 1991
Redesignated 72d Helicopter Squadron on 1 October 1992
Inactivated on 30 December 1995[12]
Assignments
26th Reconnaissance Group, 11 April 1943
I Air Support Command (later I Tactical Air Division, III Tactical Air Division), 11 August 1943
Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, c. 14 June 1944 (attached to Seventh Army)
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r"Factsheet 72 Helicopter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
^Maurer, Maurer & (1982). Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, WWII. Office of Air Force History. p. 266. ISBN 9780892010974.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, May 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Jun 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Feb 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Sep–Dec 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Apr 1946". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Jan–Mar 1947". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Apr–Jun 1947". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ a b"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Apr–Jun 1948". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^ a bLineage, including assignments through October 1992 in Factsheet, 72 Helicopter Squadron.
^Station number in Johnson, p. 32.
^Station number in Johnson, p. 35.
^"Abstract, History 72 Liaison Squadron, Apr 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^Station number in Johnson, p. 41.
^Station information through October 1992 in Factsheet, 72 Helicopter Squadron, except as noted.
^Aircraft information through October 1992 in Factsheet, 72 Helicopter Squadron, except as noted.
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.