1st Expeditionary Rescue Group

October 2019 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group center|60px PJs perform hoist extraction of a survivor during an Urban Operations Training Exercise, BIAP, Baghdad, Iraq 2003.jpg 290px US Air Force pararescue personnel perform a hoist extraction of a survivor during an urban operations training exercise 1943–1946, 1946–1956, 1995–1997, 2015– USA Combat search and rescue United States Air Forces Central Command "... These Things We Do, That Others May Live"October 2025 HH-60 Pave HawkLockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Presidential Unit Citation Gregory A. Roberts Virgil LO. Zoller Notable commander 150px 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group emblem 150px 1st Air Rescue Sq emblemApproved 23 January 1951 https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862206/1-expeditionary-rescue-group-acc/ Haulman Daniel L. Factsheet 1 Expeditionary Rescue Group (ACC) 8 July 2015 Air Force Historical Research Agency live 2 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20161124213511/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862206/1-expeditionary-rescue-group-acc/ 24 November 2016 150px 1st Emergency Rescue Sq emblem The 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as necessary. It was activated in Southwest Asia in September 2015 to provide combat search and rescue for Operation Inherent Resolve. The group was first activated during World War II as the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron. After training with the United States Navy in Florida, the squadron moved to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it flew Consolidated OA-10 Catalinas (and later other aircraft) to perform combat search and rescue missions, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation in August 1944. After VE Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated in 1946. The group was activated later in 1946 as the 1st Rescue Squadron and was responsible for air rescue operations in the Caribbean and mid-Atlantic area. In 1952, it expanded to become the 1st Air Rescue Group, but was inactivated in 1956 as Air Force operations in the Caribbean were reduced. It was active again in 1995 at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, where it provided rescue and range support for the Eastern Test Range. It was inactivated in 1997, when its component squadrons moved to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia and were reassigned, while the Eastern Test Range support mission was assumed by Air Force Reserve Command. The group's mission is combat search and rescue. Units The 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group consists of the following units: https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/386th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/616075/there-is-always-a-first-the-1st-expeditionary-rescue-group-activation/ Watson Racheal E. There is always a first: The 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group Activation 3 September 2015 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs live 12 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20170102220022/http://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/386thAirExpeditionaryWing/News/Display/tabid/5446/Article/616075/there-is-always-a-first-the-1st-expeditionary-rescue-group-activation.aspx 2 January 2017 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron 52nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron 801st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron History World War II thumb|Rescue OA-10A Catalina Training as the first squadron of its kind The group was first activated as the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron at Boca Raton Army Air Field, Florida on 1 December 1943 with an initial cadre of one officer and four enlisted men. The squadron and the 2d Emergency Rescue Squadron, activated two weeks later in California, https://www.pbyrescue.com/ Teegarden Jim Bob 2d Emergency Rescue Squadron 1 May 2015 live 6 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20011020235125/http://www.pbyrescue.com:80/ 20 October 2001 were the first of their kind in the Army Air Forces. Two naval officers were attached to the squadron to perform check flights for the pilots, who had received training on the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina at Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The training included water landings on Lake Okeechobee and navigation training. After two and a half months of training, the unit departed for overseas assignment.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersbegining44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 2 February 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 10 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161226180233/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersbegining44.pdf 26 December 2016 The squadron left for overseas from Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia,http://1st-7therspby.org/ersfeb44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 3 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 10 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160517071249/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersfeb44.pdf 17 May 2016 sailing on board the William L. Mitchell on 3 March.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmar44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 4 March 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 10 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160517071233/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmar44.pdf 17 May 2016 Operations in the Mediterranean The squadron arrived at the port of Casablanca, French Morocco on 12 March and proceeded to the encampment at Camp Don B. Passage. They staged through Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia before arriving at their operational station of Ajaccio, Corsica, France. Meanwhile, crews picked up their Catalinas at Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco. The squadron flew its first operational mission from Ajaccio on 10 April. Its first rescue, of a crewmember of a Royal Air Force Vickers Wellington bomber, occurred a week later.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersapr44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 5 April 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 10 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516140822/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersapr44.pdf 16 May 2016 In May 1944, the squadron began a split operation to increase the area in which it could provide rescue coverage. Headquarters and C Flight remained at Ajaccio, while B Flight left for Foggia Main Airfield and A Flight for Grottaglie Airfield, both in Italy. B Flight was attached to 323 Wing of the Royal Air Force for operations. On 10 May the squadron staged a rescue operation from Vis, an island controlled by Yugoslav Partisans in a search for a fighter aircraft downed over Yugoslavia. On 20 May. A Flight performed the first rescue flown from Italy, landing a Catalina a few miles off the coast of Albania to pick up the pilot of an RAF Supermarine Spitfire who had been shot down while attacking a German Q-Ship. B Flight performed its first rescue, of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator crew of the 741st Bombardment Squadron, four days later.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmay44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 6 May 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 20 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160517070849/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmay44.pdf 17 May 2016 Not only Allied fliers were rescued by the squadron. On 14 June, for the first time, C Flight responded to a distress signal received by a fighter control center. Upon arrival at the signal's location, the crew discovered the source of the signal was from two Luftwaffe fliers. They were retrieved and made the squadron's first capture of prisoners of war.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjune44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 7 June 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 20 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516142829/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjune44.pdf 16 May 2016 By July 1944, B Flight acquired a Stinson L-5 Sentinel, which it used for searches of crash sites on land.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjuly44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 8 July 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516140851/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjuly44.pdf 16 May 2016 The squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for the period o 17 to 21 August 1944. During this period, with only nine aircraft to cover its area of responsibility, the squadron rescued 21 allied airmen, making open sea landings in hazardous weather conditions and heavy seas. During the month of October, A Flight temporarily operated from a French naval base. The squadron also added a boat crew to its strength, but this unit was reassigned a month later.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersoct44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 9 October 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516191608/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersoct44.pdf 16 May 2016http://1st-7therspby.org/ersnov44.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 10 November 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516191600/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersnov44.pdf 16 May 2016 In late December 1944, the squadron and C Flight moved to Foggia. The move to Foggia also brought the assignment of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, transferred from units in Fifteenth Air Force.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjan45.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 12 December 1944 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516081620/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjan45.pdf 16 May 2016 One month later, most of A and C Flights were detached from the squadron for shipment to the China-Burma-India Theater as the cadre for the 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron, which was being organized at Agartala. With these flights went the squadron's B-17s, although once the 1st was reorganized it again flew the B-17. This reduced the squadron to (new) A Flight at Falconara Airfield and B Flight with the squadron headquarters at Foggia.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjan45.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 13 January 1945 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516081620/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersjan45.pdf 16 May 2016http://1st-7therspby.org/ersfeb45.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 14 February 1945 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516191537/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersfeb45.pdf 16 May 2016 Return to the United States The last combat rescue performed by the squadron, on 1 May 1945, was also the only one performed by dropping a lifeboat from a B-17 Dumbo. Fighting in Italy ended the following day. After VE Day, A Flight joined the squadron headquarters at Foggia.http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmay45.pdf History the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, part 17 May 1945 PBT.org The 1st and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadron dead 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516131417/http://1st-7therspby.org/ersmay45.pdf 16 May 2016 On 25 May 1945, the squadron left the Mediterranean, assembling at Keesler Field, Mississippi in late June. The squadron spent the next year at Keesler before inactivating in June 1946. Caribbean operations The squadron was activated again as the 1st Rescue Squadron at Howard Field, Panama Canal Zone in November 1946 and assumed responsibility for search and rescue in the Caribbean. The squadron moved to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida in September 1949 and was assigned to Air Rescue Service. Despite the move, the squadron's area of responsibility (the Caribbean and eastward in the mid-Atlantic to Bermuda) remained the same. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/067/170.xml Abstract, History 1 Air Rescue Squadron Sep 1949 Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901093433/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/067/170.xml 1 September 2020 At MacDill the squadron became the 1st Air Rescue Squadron. A Flight was located with the squadron until early 1951, when its personnel were distributed to other Air Rescue Service units. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/062.xml Abstract, History 1 Air Rescue Squadron May 1951 Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901094631/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/062.xml 1 September 2020 In 1951 the squadron headquarters returned to the Canal Zone, moving to Albrook Air Force Base, where its B Flight was already located. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/596.xml Abstract, History 1 Air Rescue Squadron 16 March 1951 Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901105751/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/596.xml 1 September 2020 In November 1952 it expanded into the 1st Air Rescue Group. Its three flights, were replaced by squadrons. A and B Flights, both located at Albrook with group headquarters, became the 26th and 27th Air Rescue Squadrons, C Flight at Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, became the 28th Air Rescue Squadron, and D Flight at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda became the 29th Air Rescue Squadron. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/385.xml Abstract, History 1 Air Rescue Group Jul–Dec 1952 Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901121028/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/385.xml 1 September 2020 Less than a year later, in September 1953, the second rescue squadron at Albrook was inactivated. As US operations in the Caribbean were reduced, the group and its remaining squadrons inactivated in December 1956. Patrick Air Force Base thumb|1st Rescue Group crew approaching their HC-130P In June 1995, the group, now designated the 1st Rescue Group, was activated at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida as the command element for the 41st Rescue Squadron, flying Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and the 71st Rescue Squadrons, flying Lockheed HC-130 Hercules tankers, although the group was not manned until the middle of July. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/113/123.xml Abstract, Vol. I (of 8), History 1 Fighter Wing (undated) Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165529/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/113/123.xml 3 January 2017 The squadrons had previously reported to the 1st Operations Group, stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432208/41-rescue-squadron-acc/ Dollman David Factsheet 41 Rescue Squadron (ACC) 11 October 2016 Air Force Historical Research Agency 2 January 2017 http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12080 Bailey Carl E. Factsheet 71 Rescue Squadron (ACC) 27 March 2015 Air Force Historical Research Agency dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150927112103/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12080 27 September 2015 2 January 2017 The group provided rescue, recovery and medical evacuation capability for Space Shuttle launches. It also performed range safety and surveillance for launches on the Eastern Test Range by government and commercial operators. http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/113/131.xml Abstract, Vol. I (of 9) History 1 Fighter Wing (undated) Air Force History Index live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160826203405/http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/113/131.xml 26 August 2016 While stationed at Patrick, the group deployed airmen to Southwest Asia. Five members of the group were among those killed in the Khobar Towers bombing. http://spacecoastdaily.com/2015/06/fallen-rescue-warriors-remembered-at-patrick-air-force-base/ Forshaw Leslie Fallen Rescue Warriors Remembered at Patrick Air Force Base 28 June 2015 Space Coast Daily live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20150724040739/http://spacecoastdaily.com/2015/06/fallen-rescue-warriors-remembered-at-patrick-air-force-base/ 24 July 2015 In April 1997, the group's two flying squadrons moved to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, where they were reassigned to the 347th Operations Group. Air Combat Command and Air Force Reserve Command had been transitioning the Eastern Test Range support mission to the reserve 301st Rescue Squadron. The group remained behind at Patrick until September 1997, when it was inactivated, as the remaining rescue mission at Patrick was transferred to the reserve 920th Rescue Wing. Expeditionary operations thumb|An HC-130P refuels a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter The group was converted to provisional status as the 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed in January 2015. In September, the group was activated to support Operation Inherent Resolve, the military operation to degrade ISIL. The need for a rescue capability as part of Inherent Resolve was highlighted by the failure to recover Muath al-Kasasbeh, a Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot, who was captured by ISIL, then tortured and barbarously killed after his fighter crashed in Syria. The US Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Five (HSC-5) deployed with the group during 2016 during their deployment with Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7). Lineage Constituted as the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron on 25 November 1943 Activated on 1 December 1943 Inactivated on 4 June 1946 Redesignated 1st Rescue Squadron on 26 September 1946 Activated on 1 November 1946 Redesignated 1st Air Rescue Squadron on 20 August 1950 Redesignated 1st Air Rescue Group on 14 November 1952 Inactivated on 8 December 1956 Redesignated 1st Rescue Group on 31 March 1995 Activated on 14 June 1995 Inactivated on 30 September 1997 Redesignated 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group, converted to provisional status, and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate at any time on or after 9 June 2015 Activated on 1 September 2015 Assignments Army Air Forces Eastern Technical Training Command, 1 December 1943 XII Fighter Command, 12 March 1944 (attached to Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force after 14 September 1944) Twelfth Air Force, 1 October 1944 (remained attached to Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force until 12 May 1945) Army Air Forces Western Technical Training Command, 18 June 1945 Army Air Forces Eastern Technical Training Command, 15 October 1945 – 4 June 1946 Caribbean Defense Command, 1 November 1946 5600th Wing (later 5600th Composite Wing), 26 July 1948 Caribbean Air Command, 25 April 1949 Air Rescue Service, 1 September 1949 – 8 December 1956 (attached to Caribbean Air Command after 14 November 1952) 1st Fighter Wing, 14 June 1995 347th Wing, 1 April – 30 September 1997 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, 1 September 2015 – present Components 26th Air Rescue Squadron (later 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron): 14 November 1952 – 8 December 1956, 1 September 2015 – present 27th Air Rescue Squadron: 14 November 1952 – 21 September 1953 28th Air Rescue Squadron: 14 November 1952 – 8 December 1956 29th Air Rescue Squadron: 14 November 1952 – 8 December 1956 41st Rescue Squadron: 14 June 1995 – 1 April 1997 52d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 1 September 2015 – present 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 1 September 2015 – present 71st Rescue Squadron: 14 June 1995 – 1 April 1997 12th AAF Emergency Rescue Boat Crew, 29 October 1944 – 23 November 1944 Stations Boca Raton Army Air Field, Florida, 1 December 1943 – 18 February 1944 Camp Don B. Passage, Casablanca, French Morocco, 12 March 1944 Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia, 29 March 1944 Ajaccio, Corsica, France, 8 April 1944 Foggia Main Airfield, Italy, 19 December 1944 – 25 May 1945 Keesler Field, Mississippi, 18 June 1945 – 4 June 1946 Howard Field (later Howard Air Force Base), Panama Canal Zone, 1 November 1946 MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 1 September 1949 – 15 June 1951 Albrook Air Force Base, Panama Canal Zone, 15 June 1951 – 8 December 1956 Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, 14 June 1995 – 30 September 1997 Undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, 1 September 2015 – presentA Facebook video states this location is Diyarbakir Air Base. https://www.facebook.com/135207298748/videos/vb.135207298748/10154135381873749/?type=2&theater The Rescue Triad 26 April 2016 Incirlik Air Base Facebook page live 18 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160818135141/https://www.facebook.com/135207298748/videos/vb.135207298748/10154135381873749/?type=2&theater 2016-08-18 Aircraft 18em Consolidated OA-10 Catalina (later SA-10), 1944–1945, 1946–1953 Stinson L-5 Sentinel, 1944–1945, 1947–1953 North American B-25 Mitchell, 1944–1945 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, 1944–1945 Boeing TB-17 (later SB-17) Dumbo, 1946–1952 Douglas C-47 Skytrain, 1946–1950 Stinson L-1 Vigilant, 1946–1948 Stinson L-13, 1946–1949 Sikorsky R-5 (later Sikorsky H-5)-5, 1947–1953 Fairchild C-82 Packet, 1949–1952 Boeing SB-29 Super Dumbo, 1952–1956 Grumman SA-16 Albatross, 1952–1956 Sikorsky SH-19, 1954–1956 Douglas SC-54, 1956 Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk, 1995–1997 Lockheed C-130 Hercules, 1995–1997 Lockheed HC-130 Hercules, 1995–1997 Awards and campaigns AF PUC Distinguished Unit Citation 17–21 August 1944 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, Mediterranean Theater of Operations Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes200pxRome-Arno12 March 1944 – 9 September 19441st Emergency Rescue Squadron200pxSouthern France15 August 1944 – 14 September 19441st Emergency Rescue Squadron200pxNorth Apennines10 September 1944 – 4 April 19451st Emergency Rescue Squadron200pxPo Valley3 April 1945 – 8 May 19451st Emergency Rescue Squadron200pxRhineland15 September 1944 – 21 March 19451st Emergency Rescue Squadron200pxAir Combat, EAME Theater12 March 1944 – 11 May 19451st Emergency Rescue Squadron See also B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces Joint Personnel Recovery Agency List of B-29 Superfortress operators List of Douglas C-47 Skytrain operators List of Lockheed C-130 Hercules operators List of United States Air Force rescue squadrons Personnel recovery References Notes Explanatory notes note Citations 30em Bibliography Jonasson Jonas A Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L The Army Air Forces in World War II http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329892/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-020.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165345/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329892/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-020.pdf dead 3 January 2017 Vol. VII, Services Around the World 1955 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Medicine, Morale and Air-Sea Rescue, Chapter 15 Air-Sea Rescue Tilford Earl H. Jr. Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/29/2001329780/-1/-1/0/AFD-100929-010.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165306/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/29/2001329780/-1/-1/0/AFD-100929-010.pdf dead 3 January 2017 19 December 2015 USAF in Southeast Asia 1992 Center for Air Force History Bolling AFB, DC 978-1782664284 92-37232 External links https://www.facebook.com/135207298748/videos/vb.135207298748/10154135381873749/?type=2&theater The Rescue Triad 39th Air Base Wing Facebook Page 17 July 2016 Category:Rescue groups of the United States Air Force Category:Air expeditionary groups of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 2015