71st Rescue Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Lockheed HC-130J Combat King II of the 71st Rescue Squadron | |
| Active | 1952-1960; 1970-1991; 1991 – present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Combat Search and Rescue |
| Part of | Air Combat Command 23d Wing 347th Rescue Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Moody Air Force Base |
| Equipment | HC-130J Combat King II |
| Decorations | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 71st Rescue Squadron emblem(approved 8 June 1995)[1] |  |
The71st Rescue Squadron is part of the347th Rescue Group atMoody Air Force Base, Georgia. It fliesHC-130J Combat King II aircraft conductingsearch and rescue missions.
The 71st Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready statusLockheed HC-130J Combat King II, combatsearch and rescue squadron. The squadron deploys expeditionary forces to execute personnel recovery operations worldwide to support theater commanders to advance national security interests. This mission requires the squadron to conduct low-level operations andair refueling usingnight vision goggles andairdroppararescue personnel of other units for in support of combat personnel recovery.[2]
The 71st was first activated in November 1952 whenAir Rescue Service expanded its existing air rescue squadrons to groups and expanded their flights to separate squadrons. It flew search, rescue and recovery missions out ofElmendorf Air Force Base from 1952 to 1960 and 1970–1991. It has flownaerial refueling missions for search and rescue operations since 1991.
The squadron has supported the combat search and rescue mission inSouthwest Asia with aircraft and crews since 1992.[1] In August 2014, the 71st completed its last deployment with the HC-130P Combat King aircraft, which it has flown since 2003. This was the last deployment by an active duty squadron with the Combat King model. The squadron is now beginning to transition to the HC-130J Combat King II by September 2015.[3]
| Award streamer | Award | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award | 1 June 2006-30 May 2007 | 71st Air Rescue Squadron[1] |
 | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 7 May 1956-20 May 1956 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 1972-30 June 1974 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 1974-31 May 1975 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 September 1975-31 May 1977 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 16 July 1977-16 July 1979 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 17 July 1979-15 June 1981 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 April 1984-31 March 1986 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 April 1987-31 March 1988 | 71st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 February 1993-30 Apr 1994 | 71st Rescue Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 June 2002-31 May 2003 | 71st Rescue Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 October 2003-31 October 2004 | 71st Rescue Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 November 2004-31 May 2006 | 71st Rescue Squadron[1] |
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Southwest Asia Cease-Fire | 1 October 1991 – 30 November 1995 | 71st Air Rescue Squadron (later 71st Rescue Squadron)[1] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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