48th Rescue Squadron



The 48th Rescue Squadron (48 RQS) is part of the 563d Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. PJs/CROs primarily fly onboard HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft while conducting search and rescue missions.

Mission
The 48 RQS trains, equips, and employs combat-ready pararescuemen, combat rescue officers, and supporting personnel worldwide in support of U.S. national security interests. It provides survivor contact, treatment, and extraction during combat rescue operations, uses various fixed and rotary wing insertion and extraction assets. It employs by any means available to provide combat and humanitarian search, rescue, and medical assistance in all environments.

History
The 48th flew search, rescue, and recovery, mostly over water from, 1952–1969, 1972–1976, and 1985-1987. It supported USAF Survival School from, 1972–1976 and 1985-1987. Squadron personnel performed interdiction missions in support of South Florida Drug Interdiction Task Force from, 1985-1987. Since October 1993, the squadron has flown helicopters for combat rescue, water survival training, and drug interdiction missions.

Lineage

 * 48th Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1965)
 * 48th Air Recovery Squadron (1965–1966)
 * 48th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966–1967)
 * 48th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Training (1967–1972)
 * 48th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1972–1993)
 * 48th Rescue Squadron (1993–Present)

Assignments

 * 5th Air Rescue Group (1952–1956)
 * Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (1956–1969)
 * 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (1972–1976)
 * 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1976)
 * 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (1985–1987)
 * 49th Fighter Wing (1993–1999)
 * 563d Rescue Group (1999–Present)

Bases stationed

 * Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (1952–1955)
 * Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (1955–1969)
 * Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (1972–1976)
 * Homestead Air Force Base, Florida (1985–1987)
 * Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico (1993–1999)
 * Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona (1999–Present)

Aircraft Operated

 * SB-29 Super Dumbo (1952–1954)
 * C-82 Packet (1952–1953)
 * HU-16 Albatross (1954–1968)
 * HH-19 Chickasaw (1954–1963)
 * C/SC/HC-54 Rescuemaster (1956–1965)
 * HH-43 Huskie (1963–1965, 1966–1968)


 * HC-130 Hercules (1965–1969)
 * HH/CH-3 (1966–1969)
 * HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant (1966–1969)
 * UH-1 Iroquois (1972–1976, 1985–1987)
 * HH-60 Pave Hawk (1993–Present)