71st Rescue Squadron

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71st Rescue Squadron
ACC Shield.svg
13-5785 Lockheed Martin HC-130J Combat King II Hercules C-N 382-5785 (33022951636).jpg
Lockheed HC-130J Combat King II of the 71st Rescue Squadron
Active1952-1960; 1970-1991; 1991 – present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Role Combat Search and Rescue
Part of Air Combat Command
23d Wing
347th Rescue Group
Garrison/HQ Moody Air Force Base
Equipment HC-130J Combat King II
Decorations Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
71st Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 8 June 1995) [1] 71st Rescue Squadron.jpg

The 71st Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It flies HC-130J Combat King II aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

Contents

Mission

The 71st Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready status Lockheed HC-130J Combat King II, combat search and rescue squadron. The squadron deploys expeditionary forces to execute personnel recovery operations worldwide to support theater commanders to advance national security interests. This mission requires the squadron to conduct low-level operations and air refueling using night vision goggles and airdrop pararescue personnel of other units for in support of combat personnel recovery. [2]

History

Ski equipped LC-130D of the 71st ARRS USAF Elmendorf Base 6.jpg
Ski equipped LC-130D of the 71st ARRS
HH-3Es of the 71st ARRS over Alaska HH-3Es 71st ARRS over Alaska 1987.JPEG
HH-3Es of the 71st ARRS over Alaska

Alaskan operations

The 71st was first activated in November 1952 when Air Rescue Service expanded its existing air rescue squadrons to groups and expanded their flights to separate squadrons. It flew search, rescue and recovery missions out of Elmendorf Air Force Base from 1952 to 1960 and 1970–1991. It has flown aerial refueling missions for search and rescue operations since 1991.

Reactivation in the Southeast

The squadron has supported the combat search and rescue mission in Southwest Asia with aircraft and crews since 1992. [1] In August 2014, the 71st completed its last deployment with the HC-130P Combat King aircraft, which it has flown since 2003. This was the last deployment by an active duty squadron with the Combat King model. The squadron is now beginning to transition to the HC-130J Combat King II by September 2015. [3]

Lineage

Activated on 14 November 1952
Discontinued and inactivated on 18 March 1960
Activated on 8 March 1970
Inactivated on 1 June 1991
Activated on 1 October 1991

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

Lockheed HC-130P Combat King, 2003-c. 2014 [3]

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
AF MUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 June 2006-30 May 200771st Air Rescue Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 7 May 1956-20 May 195671st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1972-30 June 197471st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1974-31 May 197571st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 September 1975-31 May 197771st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award16 July 1977-16 July 197971st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award17 July 1979-15 June 198171st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1984-31 March 198671st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1987-31 March 198871st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 February 1993-30 Apr 199471st Rescue Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 June 2002-31 May 200371st Rescue Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2003-31 October 200471st Rescue Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 November 2004-31 May 200671st Rescue Squadron [1]
Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
Streamer SAS.PNG Southwest Asia Cease-Fire1 October 1991 – 30 November 199571st Air Rescue Squadron (later 71st Rescue Squadron) [1]

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Bailey, Carl E. (27 March 2015). "Factsheet 71 Rescue Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  2. ↑ "Factsheet 347th Rescue Group". 23d Wing Public Affairs. 1 December 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  3. 1 2 Callaghan, A1C Ryan (8 June 2014). "HC-130P completes final deployment". 23d Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

Bibliography

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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