602d Special Operations Squadron

602d Special Operations Squadron

A Douglas A-1H Skyraider of the 602d Special Operations Squadron over Vietnam in June 1970
Active 1944-1945; 1963-1970
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Close air support and search and rescue (SAR) escort duty
Nickname Firefly
Decorations Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
602d Special Operations Squadron emblem

The 602d Special Operations Squadron was a United States Air Force squadron that operated in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

History

Douglas A-1 Skyraiders of the 1st and 602d Special Operations Squadrons at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base

The 602d Fighter Squadron (Commando) was activated in May 1964, and along with the 1st Air Commando Squadron, was a part of the 34th Tactical Group. The squadron became operational at Bien Hoa Air Base on 15 October 1964. By 1966 the squadron had been renamed the 602d Air Commando Squadron and moved, first to Nha Trang Air Base in South Vietnam, and then to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. In March 1968 it moved again to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base. On 1 August 1968 it was redesignated the 602d Special Operations Squadron, and was inactivated on 31 December 1970 at Nakhon Phanom. The original Squadron patch was drawn by Walt Disney in 1944. The sky was blue with a wisp of cloud behind the left wing of the eagle. No call sign was mounted above the patch.

Lineage

Activated on 20 April 1944
Redesignated 2d Fighter Squadron, Commando on 2 June 1944
Inactivated on 12 November 1945
Organized on 1 May 1963
Inactivated on 31 December 1970

Assignments

  • Third Air Force: 20 April 1944
  • 2d Air Commando Group: 22 April 1944 - 12 November 1945
  • Tactical Air Command: 15 April 1963 (not organized)
  • 1st Air Commando Group (later 1st Air Commando Wing): 1 May 1963
  • Pacific Air Forces: 1 October 1964
  • 34th Tactical Group: 18 October 1964
  • 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing: 8 July 1965
  • 3d Tactical Fighter Wing: 21 November 1965
  • 14th Air Commando Wing: 8 March 1966
  • 56th Air Commando Wing (later 56th Special Operations Wing): 8 April 1967 - 31 December 1970

Stations

  • Lakeland Army Air Field, Florida, 20 April 1944
  • Cross City Army Air Field, Florida, 9 June 1944
  • Alachua Army Air Field, Florida, 21 June 1944
  • Drew Field, Florida, 17 August 1944
  • Lakeland Army Air Field, Florida, 22 August 1944 - 23 October 1944
  • Kalaikunda, India, 15 December 1944
  • Cox's Bazaar, India, 13 February 1945
  • Kalaikunda, India, 14 May 1945 - 22 October 1945
  • Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 11 November 1945 - 12 November 1945
  • Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Airfield #9, Florida, 1 May 1963
  • Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, 12 Oct 1964
  • Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, 1 Feb 1966
  • Udorn Air Base, Thailand, 15 Dec 1966
  • Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Naval Air Base, Thailand, 30 Jun 1968-31 Dec 1970

Aircraft

Operations

Campaign Streamers

World War II: Central Burma. Vietnam: Vietnam Advisory; Vietnam Defense; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V.

Decorations

Distinguished Unit Citation: Bangkok, Thailand, 15 Mar 1945. Presidential Unit Citations: Vietnam: 1 Jul 1965-30 Jun 1966; 1 Jul 1966-7 Mar 1967; 12 Apr-30 Jun 1967; 1 Nov 1968-1 May 1969; 1 Oct 1969-30 Apr 1970. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award With Combat “V” Device: 1-31 Dec 1970. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 1 Apr 1966-31 Dec 1970.

References