72nd Helicopter Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 72nd Helicopter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last active as a flight, then as a squadron from 1991 to 1995 at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, where it provided light transport and assisted with search and rescue operations.
72nd Helicopter Squadron | |
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Active | 1943–1946; 1946–1949; 1991–1995 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | light transport, reconnaissance and search and rescue |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations Mediterranean Theater of Operations[1] |
Decorations | Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
Insignia | |
72d Liaison Sq emblem[note 1][1] | |
72d Helicopter Sq emblem[note 2][2] |
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]