55th Rescue Squadron

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55th Rescue Squadron
A-10 search and rescue exercise 150129-Z-VA676-145.jpg
An A-10 Thunderbolt II provides cover for a 55th HH-60 Pave Hawk during an exercise
Active1952–1960; 1961–1999; 2003–present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Role Search and Rescue
Part of Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Night Hawks [1] Night Wings (1984-1988)
Motto(s)Haec Ago Ut Alii Vivant
These Things We Do That Others May Live[ citation needed ]
Engagements Desert Storm
Kosovo War [2]
Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [2]
Insignia
55th Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 12 December 1988) [2] 55 Rescue Squadron USAF emblem.PNG
55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron emblem (approved 12 December 1984) [1] [3] 55 Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Sq emblem.png

The 55th Rescue Squadron is an aviation unit of the United States Air Force. It operates the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. 55th used to use the HH-60G Pave Hawk until switching to the HH-60W Jolly Green II. They tactically employ the HH-60W helicopter and its crew in hostile environments to recover downed aircrew and isolated personnel during day, night, or marginal weather conditions. The squadron also conducts military operations other than war including civil search and rescue, disaster relief, international aid, emergency medical evacuation, and counter-drug activities. [4]

Contents

Since 2003, the squadron provided rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces worldwide; and deployed aircraft and crews in response to national disasters, domestic search and rescue, and medical evacuation ("MEDEVAC") missions.

History

North Atlantic Rescue

The 55th Air Rescue Squadron was activated on 14 November 1952, at Thule Air Force Base, Greenland, where it replaced Flight E, 6th Air Rescue Squadron, when Air Rescue Service expanded its squadrons to groups and replaced their flights with new squadrons. It remained at Thule and trained and performed rescue and recovery missions until March 1960, when it moved to Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda , where it was inactivated on 18 June 1960. [2]

Reactivation

A 55th HH-53C over the Gulf of Mexico, 1978. HH-53C 55 ARRS during sea rescue 1978.JPEG
A 55th HH-53C over the Gulf of Mexico, 1978.

The squadron was reorganized at Kindley on 18 June 1961. Until January 1966 the unit supported crewed spacecraft recovery operations. In January 1966, it was renamed the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. It moved to McCoy Air Force Base, Florida in February 1970. From McCoy, and after June 1971, from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida it provided coverage for Apollo missions through the early 1970s. [2]

Special operations

In 1988 the rescue role changed to special operations missions. During Operation Just Cause the 55th SOS performed combat search and rescue in Panama between 20 December 1989 and 14 January 1990. This was repeated during the 1991 Gulf War between January and March 1991, and again in the Persian Gulf region and the Kosovo, in 1998-1999. On 25 February 1993, the 55th moved to Hurlburt Field, Florida, where the squadron was inactivated on 11 November 1999. [2]

Return to rescue mission

On 22 January 2003, the squadron was reactivated at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona (USA). [2] Since 2003, the squadron provided rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces worldwide; and deployed aircraft and crews in response to national disasters, domestic search and rescue, and medical evacuation missions, like during Hurricane Katrina. [2]

The unit has changed to the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II. [5]

Lineage

Activated on 14 November 1952
Discontinued and inactivated on 18 June 1960
Organized on 18 June 1961
Redesignated 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 January 1966
Redesignated 55th Special Operations Squadron on 1 March 1988
Inactivated on 11 November 1999
Activated on 14 March 2003 [2]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">31st Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

The 31st Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It trains, equips and employs combat-ready pararescue specialists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">41st Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit


The 41st Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">33rd Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

The 33d Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">38th Rescue Squadron</span> Search and rescue unit of the United States Air Force

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">39th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">56th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">58th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">66th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">305th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">563rd Rescue Group</span> US Air Force unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">76th Helicopter Squadron</span> Military unit

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The 54th Helicopter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force based at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. It is currently part of the 582d Helicopter Group, headquartered at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Since it was first created, it has served a search and rescue and transport function at Air Force bases in three locations in North America. In its most recent format, it has been stationed at Minot Air Force Base.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Endicott, p. 598
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Haulman, Daniel L. (12 May 2017). "Factsheet 55 Rescue Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Approved insignia for: 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron". National Archives Catalog. 4 February 1986. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  4. ↑ Staff writer, no byline (2 August 2006). "Library: Fact Sheet 563rd Rescue Group (AFSOC)". 355th Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 AirForces Monthly . Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2023. p. 19.

Bibliography

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