39th Rescue Squadron
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (February 2018) |
| 39th Rescue Squadron | |
|---|---|
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1] | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Paul S. Golando |
| Insignia | |
| 39th Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 12 March 1992)[1] |  |
The 39th Rescue Squadron is an
Lockheed HC-130P/N Combat King aircraft conducting search and rescue and combat search and rescue/personnel recovery missions.[2] The squadron is currently transitioning to the Lockheed Martin HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, which will provide significant increases in the squadron's capabilities.[2] An Air Force Reserve Command unit, the 39th Rescue Squadron is operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC) upon mobilization
.
Mission
As an
air refueling, and forward area refueling point missions. When tasked, the squadron also conducts humanitarian assistance operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation, casualty evacuation, noncombatant evacuation operations.[3] During the Space Shuttle program, the 39th also provided DoD crewed space flight support for NASA
.
History
Korean War and rescue in the north Pacific
The squadron was first activated in November 1952 as the 39th Air Rescue Squadron at
group. The squadron assumed the mission, personnel and aircraft of Flight D, 3d Air Rescue Squadron, which was discontinued when the squadron activated. The 39th conducted search, rescue, and escort missions in Japan and Korea during and following the Korean War. It also flew missions included refueling rescue helicopters and performing airborne command, control, and communications functions during combat rescue operations.[1]
Vietnam War
On 18 January 1967, the squadron was formed at
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.[4]
On 8 June 1967 the squadron relocated from Udorn to
Cam Ranh Air Base.[8]
In March 1972 the squadron moved from Cam Ranh to
56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
and the .
On 10 October 1990, the squadron was reestablished as the 39th Air Rescue Squadron under the Air Rescue Service and activated at
432d Fighter Wing
at Misawa.
The squadron was inactivated as a Regular Air Force unit in 1994 concurrent with inactivation of the
432d Fighter Wing.[9]
Reactivation
The 39th Rescue Squadron was reactivated in 1997 as an
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
.
On December 16, 2019, the squadron retired their last HC-130 P/N Combat King aircraft. This fleet of aircraft will be replaced with new HC/MC-130J models in the spring of 2020.[10] The squadron's first HC-130J Combat King II arrived on April 2, 2020.[11]
Lineage
- Constituted as the 39th Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952
- Activated on 14 November 1952
- Inactivated on 24 November 1957
- Redesignated 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and activated on 16 January 1967 (not organized)
- Organized on 18 January 1967
- Inactivated on 30 April 1972
- Redesignated 39th Air Rescue Squadron on 10 October 1990
- Activated on 1 January 1992
- Redesignated 39th Rescue Squadron on 1 February 1993
- Inactivated on 1 August 1994
- Activated in the Air Force Reserve Command on 15 April 1997[1]
Assignments
- 3d Air Rescue Group, 14 November 1952
- 2d Air Rescue Group, 18 June–24 November 1957
- Military Airlift Command, 16 January 1967 (not organized)
- 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, 18 January 1967 – 30 April 1972
- Air Rescue Service, 1 January 1992
- 432d Operations Group, 1 February 1993 – 1 August 1994
- 920th Rescue Group, 15 April 1997[1]
- 920th Operations Group, 1 April 2003 – present[note 1]
Stations
- Ashiya Air Base, Japan, 14 November 1952 – 24 November 1957
- Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 18 January 1967
- Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 June 1967
- Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam, 16 September 1970 – 30 April 1972
- Misawa Air Base, Japan, 1 January 1992 – 1 August 1994
- Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, 15 April 1997 – present[1]
Aircraft
- Grumman SA-16 Albatross(1952–1957)
- Douglas SC-47 Skytrain(1952–1957)
- Sikorsky SH-19(1952–1957)
- Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk(1992–1994)
- Lockheed HC-130H, HC-130P, HC-130P/N Hercules COMBAT KING (1967–1972, 1997–2019)[1]
- HC-130J Hercules Combat King II (2 April 2020-present)[11]
See also
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ Dollman erroneously identifies the 920th Operations Group as a redeisgnation of the 920th Rescue Group. However, on 1 April 2003, the 920th Group was redesignated as a wing, Stephens, Maj Tonia (20 November 2017). "Factsheet 920th Rescue Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 27 February 2018. and the 920th Operations Group was formed as a newly constituted unit.
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dollman, TSG David (18 October 2016). "Factsheet 39 Rescue Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ a b "The End of an Era".
- ^ no byline (30 December 2009). "Fact Sheet: HC-130P/N King". U.S. Air Force Public Affairs. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ Tilford, p. 76
- ^ Tilford, p. 85
- ^ Tilford, p. 84-85
- ^ Tilford, p. 96
- ^ Tilford, p. 113
- ^ Tilford, p. 115
- ^ "The End of an Era". Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Super Herculean Milestone". Retrieved 11 April 2020.
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force
- Marion, Forrest L. (2004). That Others May Live: USAF Air Rescue in Korea (PDF). Washington DC: Air Force History and Museums Program. ISBN 978-1477549926. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Tilford, Earl H. Jr. (1992). Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia (PDF). USAF in Southeast Asia. Bolling AFB, DC: Center for Air Force History. LCCN 92-37232. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
See also
| Air Forces |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bases |
| ||||||||
| Command | |||||||||
| Wings/Groups |
| ||||||||