71st Rescue Squadron

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.

71st Rescue Squadron
Lockheed HC-130J Combat King II of the 71st Rescue Squadron
Active1952-1960; 1970-1991; 1991 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleCombat Search and Rescue
Part ofAir Combat Command
23d Wing
347th Rescue Group
Garrison/HQMoody Air Force Base
EquipmentHC-130J Combat King II
DecorationsAir Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
71st Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 8 June 1995)[1]

Mission

The 71st Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready status as the last active duty 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
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
  • Constituted as the 71st Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952
Activated on 14 November 1952
Discontinued and inactivated on 18 March 1960
  • Redesignated 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 25 November 1969
Activated on 8 March 1970
  • Redesignated 71st Air Rescue Squadron on 1 June 1989
Inactivated on 1 June 1991
Activated on 1 October 1991
  • Redesignated 71st Rescue Squadron on 1 February 1993[1]

Assignments
  • 10th Air Rescue Group: 14 November 1952 (attached to Alaskan Air Command for operations after 1 August 1954)
  • Air Rescue Service: 21 October 1957 – 18 March 1960 (continued attachment to Alaskan Air Command until 23 May 1958)
  • 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing: 8 March 1970 (attached to Detachment 1, 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing until 30 June 1971, Elmendorf Rescue Coordination Center until 24 June 1972, Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center)
  • 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (later 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing): 1 July 1974 (continued attachment to Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center)
  • Air Rescue Service: 1 August 1989 – 1 June 1991 (continued attachment to Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center)
  • Air Rescue Service: 1 October 1991
  • 1st Operations Group: 1 February 1993
  • 1st Rescue Group: 14 June 1995
  • 347th Rescue Group: 1 April 1997 – Present[1]

Stations
  • Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, 14 November 1952 – 18 March 1960
  • Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, 8 March 1970 – 1 June 1991
  • Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, 1 October 1991
  • Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, 1 April 1997 – Present[1]

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

Awards and Campaigns
Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 June 2006-30 May 200771st Air Rescue Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award7 May 1956-20 May 195671st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1972-30 June 197471st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1974-31 May 197571st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 September 1975-31 May 197771st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award16 July 1977-16 July 197971st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award17 July 1979-15 June 198171st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1984-31 March 198671st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1987-31 March 198871st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 February 1993-30 Apr 199471st Rescue Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 June 2002-31 May 200371st Rescue Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2003-31 October 200471st Rescue Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 November 2004-31 May 200671st Rescue Squadron[1]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
Southwest Asia Cease-Fire1 October 1991 – 30 November 199571st Air Rescue Squadron (later 71st Rescue Squadron)[1]

See also

References

Notes
  1. 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. 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.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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