The squadron provided a detachment of reconnaissance planes for each of the carrier air wings of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

VFP-62 was established in January 1949 as Composite Squadron SIX TWO (VC-62), nicknamed the Fighting Photos, and was equipped with Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat and Vought F4U-5P Corsair fighter aircraft converted to reconnaissance platforms.

Detachments of the squadron operated from all Atlantic Fleet attack aircraft carriers based on the U.S. east coast.

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 Cuban Missile Crisis.

On 26 November 1962, VFP-62 was awarded the first peacetime Navy Unit Commendation, personally by President John F. Kennedy for the squadron's actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.