41st Rescue Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 41st Rescue Squadron


caption= 41st Rescue Squadron Patch
dates= 14 November 1952 - 18 March 1960
29 December 1961 - 30 September 1987
1 March 1989 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Search and Rescue
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Force Special Operations Command
23d Air Force
347th Rescue Group
current_commander=
garrison= Patrick Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 41st Rescue Squadron (41 RQS) is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The squadron is geographicly separated and operates from Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

Mission

The 41 RQS maintains combat-ready status as an HH-60G combat search and rescue (CSAR) squadron. This squadron specializes in combat rescue of downed aircrews using night vision goggles (NVG), low-level formation, air refueling, and survivor recovery. Members assigned to this squadron rapidly mobilize, deploy and employ to provide combat and peacetime search and rescue in support of U.S. national security interests and the NASA space shuttle. [http://www.moody.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3442 347 RQG Fact Sheet] ]

History

The 41st has flown search and rescue missions from, 1952-1960, 1962-1987, and since 1989. It also recovered high-altitude atmospheric-sampling devices from, 1962-1987. Beginning in Mar 1989, the squadron has provided prelaunch security and safety surveillance of NASA launches and recovery or medical evacuation for Space Shuttle crewmembers. [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0041rqs.html AFHRA 41 RQS Page] ]

Operations

=Lineage=

*41st Air Rescue Squadron (1952 - 1966)
*41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966 - 1989)
*41st Air Rescue Squadron (1989 - 1993)
*41st Rescue Squadron (1993 - Present)

=Assignments=

*4th Air Rescue Group (1952 - 1956)
*Air Rescue and Recovery Service (1956 - 1960)
*Military Air Transport Service (1961 - 1962)
*Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (1962 - 1970)
*39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (1970 - 1975)
*41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1975 - 1987, 1989)
*Air Rescue Service (1989 - 1993)
*1st Operations Group (1993 - 1995)
*1st Rescue Group (1995 - 1997)
*347th Rescue Group (1997 - Present)
**Attached: Eastern Space and Missile Center for Operational Control (1 March 1989 - )

=Bases stationed=

*Hamilton Air Force Base, California (1952 - 1960, 1962 - 1973)
*McClellan Air Force Base, California (1973 - 1987)
*Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (1989 - Present)

=Aircraft Operated=

*SB-17 (1952 - c. 1953)
*C-82 Packet (1952 - 1953)
*H-5 Dragonfly (1952 - c. 1953)
*SA-16 Albatross (1953 - c. 1960)
*SH-19 Chickasaw (c. 1953 - c. 1960)
*HU-16 Albatross (1962 - 1968)
*SH/HH-19 Chickasaw (1962 - 1963)
*HH-43 Huskie (1963)
*HC-130 Hercules (1966 - 1987)
*CH/HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant (1971 - 1973, 1976 - 1987)
*CH/HH-3 (1973 - 1976, 1989 - )
*HH-60 Pave Hawk (1997 - Present)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0041rqs.html USAF 41st Rescue Squadron History]
* [http://www.moody.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3442 347th Rescue Group Fact Sheet]

ee also