39th Rescue Squadron

The 39th Rescue Squadron (39 RQS) is part of the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It operates HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

History
The 39th conducted search, rescue, and escort missions in Japan and Korea during and following the Korean War and in Southeast Asia from, January 1967-April 1972. It also flew missions included refueling rescue helicopters and performing airborne command, control, and communications functions during combat rescue operations. The 39th again flew search and rescue in and around Japan from, 1992-1994. It has trained for combat search and rescue, performed search and rescue missions, and refueled rescue helicopters since 1997.

Operations
On 16 January 1967, the squadron was formed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base with six Lockheed HC-130Hs transferred from the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.
 * Korean War
 * Vietnam War

On 8 June 1967 the squadron relocated from Udorn RTAFB to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam and began to receive HC-130Ps to replace their HC-130Hs. The HC-130P was the first aircraft able to refuel helicopters and so provided a dramatic increase in range for helicopters, particularly those involved in CSAR missions. By mid-1969, the squadron was operating 11 HC-130Ps from Tuy Hoa.

On 16 September 1970 the squadron relocated from Tuy Hoa AB to Cam Ranh Air Base.

In March 1972 the squadron moved from Cam Ranh AB to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. On 1 April 1972 the 39th ARRS was dissolved and the aircraft and crews temporarily became part of Detachment 4 of the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group at Korat. On 8 July 1972 the Detachment was redesignated the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.

Lineage

 * 39th Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1967)
 * 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1967–1990)
 * 39th Air Rescue Squadron (1990–1993)
 * 39th Rescue Squadron (1993–Present)

Assignments

 * 3d Air Rescue Group (1952–1957)
 * 2d Air Rescue Group (1957)
 * 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (1967–1972)
 * Air Rescue Service (1992–1993)
 * 432d Fighter Wing (1993–1994)
 * 920th Rescue Wing (1997–Present)

Bases stationed

 * Ashiya Air Base, Japan (1952–1957)
 * Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand (1967)
 * Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam (1967–1970)
 * Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam (1970–1972)
 * Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (1972)
 * Misawa Air Base, Japan (1992–1994)
 * Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (1997–Present)

Aircraft Operated

 * SA-16 Albatross (1952–1957)
 * SC-47 (1952–1957)
 * SH-19 Chickasaw (1952–1957)
 * HC-130 Hercules (1967–1972, 1997–Present)
 * HH-60 Pave Hawk (1992–1994)