71st Rescue Squadron

71st Rescue Squadron

Lockheed HC-130P Combat King Hercules of the 71st Rescue Squadron
Active 1952-1960; 1970-1991; 1991 – present
Country  United States
Branch  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
Decorations Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
71st Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 8 June 1995)[1]

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

Mission

The 71st Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready status as the last active duty Lockheed HC-130P Combat King, 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

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 1952–1960 and 1970-1991. It has flown aerial refueling missions for search and rescue operations since 1991. The squadron has supported the combat search and rescue mission in Southwest Asia with aircraft and crews since 1992.[1][3] 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.[4]

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[4]

Awards and Campaigns

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
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-Fire 1 October 1991 – 30 November 1995 71st 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 Robertson, Patsy (4 July 2009). "Factsheet 71 Rescue Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  2. ↑ Robertson, Patsy (1 December 2012). "Factsheet 347th Rescue Group". 23d Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  3. ↑ AFHRA 71 RQS Page
  4. 1 2 Callaghan, A1C Ryan (8 June 2014). "HC-130P completes final deployment". 23d Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 12 August 2014.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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