The 62d Security Forces Squadron has been active since August 15, 1947. It was originally known as Squadron "B", 62d Airdrome Group. On June 23, 1948 the squadron was constituted as the 62d Air Police Squadron, Troop Carrier, Medium. On October 12, 1949, it was redesignated as the 62d Air Police Squadron, Troop Carrier, Heavy. It was not until March 8, 1950 that the unit was simply known as the 62d Air Police Squadron.
Over the next ten years, the squadron went through a period of adjustment. Starting on June 1, 1950, the squadron was deactivated. This was the beginning of an on going process were McChord AFB shifted between having its own Law Enforcement squadron and sharing one with the 325th APS at McChord and the 62d Troop Carrier Wing at Larson Field. During the periods were the 62d Police Squadron was inactive, law enforcement duties were carried on by the 325th APS. Finally on July 8, 1968, the 62d Security Police Squadron was officially installed at McChord and setup in building P-7.
Since then, the 62d Security Police Squadron has been busy trying to keep up with the times. The squadron has always been on the cutting edge of the law enforcement field. Starting in 1971, the squadron sent the first female to be trained in the Law Enforcement Career Field for the Air Force. Sgt Carolyn S. Biggs, Administrative Clerk, 62 SPS was sent to Lackland AFB for training and was then assigned to Travis AFB.
All throughout the seventies, the squadron had its share of difficulties, especially concerning the Vietnam War. Protesters would frequent outside the main gate and hold demonstrations against the war. Other problems occurring was a hostage situation occurring at the Air National Guard Base, and several bomb threats against the Air Terminal.
The 62 SPS has also been involved in some of this country's major deployments. The first major incident happened in 1983 when the United States became involved in Grenada. In late October, 80 members of the 62 SPS were handpicked to travel over to Grenada in support of the intervention. They were in charge of transferring prisoners and securing the airfields and aircrafts in the area. During the same year, 62 SPS personnel were also deployed to Beirut to help the truck bombing victims. They were tasked to offload supplies and to provide an honor guard for the remains of the U.S. Marines killed in the terrorist attack.
In the late 80's and early 90's, members of the 62 SPS deployed to both Panama providing security at Howard Air Force Base and the to Persian Gulf area in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. During the Gulf War, the 62 SPS had a total of 44 members providing security in the conflict. Several other members of the McChord Air Base Ground Defense team, were deployed in March to Saudi Arabia to participate in Operation Desert Storm.
In October 1997, Air Force officially
changed the name of Security Police to Security Forces and combined
the law enforcement with security. The 62 SFS has kept itself
busy with deployments all around the world.
The squadron has earned several awards throughout the years. These include: