563rd Rescue Group
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 563d Rescue Group (563 RQG) directs flying operations dedicated to Personnel Recovery (PR). The 563d RQG is part of the Air Combat Command
(ACC) and is a geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 23rd Wing (23 WG) at Moody Air Force Base
, Georgia. The home station for the 563d RQG is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
, Arizona
and it also has responsibility for rescue squadrons operating as GSUs at Nellis Air Force Base
, Nevada.
The group is responsible for training, readiness, and operations of one HC-130P
squadron, two HH-60G squadrons, two Guardian Angel squadrons, and an operations support squadron operating from two geographically separated operating locations.
The 58th Rescue Squadron 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.
The 66th Rescue Squadron operates the HH-60G "Pavehawk" and provides rapidly deployable combat rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. They tactically employ the HH-60G helicopter and its crew in hostile environments to recover downed aircrew and isolated personnel during day, night or marginal weather conditions. The squadron also conducts military operations other than war including; civil search and rescue, disaster relief, international aid, emergency medical evacuation and counter-drug activities.
From 1946–1950 provided rescue capabilities in Japan. Flew combat rescue and evacuation missions during the Korean War, 1950–1953. Credited with rescuing almost 10,000 United Nations personnel, including almost 1,000 combat saves behind enemy lines.
Returned to providing rescue capability in Japan, 1953–1957. Performed combat search, rescue, and recovery missions in Southeast Asia, 1966–1975. Credited with 3,681 saves, including 2,632 combat saves. Operated a Joint Service Rescue Center at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, for Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1966–1973.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 563d Rescue Group (563 RQG) directs flying operations dedicated to Personnel Recovery (PR). The 563d RQG is part of the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC) and is a geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 23rd Wing (23 WG) at Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Lowndes County and Lanier County, about northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, United States.Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing...
, Georgia. The home station for the 563d RQG is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, and approximately south-southeast of downtown, Tucson, Arizona....
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and it also has responsibility for rescue squadrons operating as GSUs at Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
, Nevada.
The group is responsible for training, readiness, and operations of one HC-130P
HC-130
The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue and Combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport. The HC-130H and HC-130J versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role. The HC-130P and HC-130N Combat King models...
squadron, two HH-60G squadrons, two Guardian Angel squadrons, and an operations support squadron operating from two geographically separated operating locations.
Units
- 563d Operations Support Squadron
- The 563d Operations Support Squadron supports all aspects of the training and employment of the 563d Rescue Group's six combat-ready HC-130, HH-60, Guardian Angel, and support squadrons totaling over 700 military and civilian personnel. It provides all operational support functions including weapons and tactics, current operations, intelligence, training, life support, mobility, and flying hour program management. As a worldwide deployable unit, it also is responsible for implementing contingency and theater war plans.
- 79th Rescue Squadron79th Rescue SquadronThe 79th Rescue Squadron operates the HC-130P Hercules and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. It conducts helicopter air refueling, airdrop, and airland of pararescue personnel and/or equipment in support of combat personnel recovery...
- The 79th Rescue Squadron operates the HC-130P/E "Hercules" and provides rapidly deployable combat rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. It conducts helicopter air refueling, airdrop and airland of Guardian Angel personnel and/or equipment in support of combat personnel recovery. Its crews are capable of landings on short, unimproved, runways and low-level operations during day or night with night vision goggles.
- 48th Rescue Squadron48th Rescue SquadronThe 48th Rescue Squadron 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 48th Rescue Squadron 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.
- 55th Rescue Squadron55th Rescue SquadronThe 55th Rescue Squadron is an aviation unit of the United States Air Force. It operates the HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide...
- The 55th Rescue Squadron operates the HH-60G "Pavehawk" and provides rapidly deployable combat rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. They tactically employ the HH-60G helicopter and its crew in hostile environments to recover downed aircrew and isolated personnel during day, night or marginal weather conditions. The squadron also conducts military operations other than war including; civil search and rescue, disaster relief, international aid, emergency medical evacuation and counter-drug activities.
- 58th Rescue Squadron58th Rescue SquadronThe 58th Rescue Squadron is one of only four active-duty Guardian Angel squadrons under the command of the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona but located at Operating Site Alpha, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.-History:...
– Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
The 58th Rescue Squadron 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.
- 66th Rescue Squadron66th Rescue SquadronThe 66th Rescue Squadron is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where it operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue and combat search and rescue missions...
– Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
The 66th Rescue Squadron operates the HH-60G "Pavehawk" and provides rapidly deployable combat rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. They tactically employ the HH-60G helicopter and its crew in hostile environments to recover downed aircrew and isolated personnel during day, night or marginal weather conditions. The squadron also conducts military operations other than war including; civil search and rescue, disaster relief, international aid, emergency medical evacuation and counter-drug activities.
History
Flew combat rescue and evacuation missions 1944–1945 at Biak Island and in the Philippines. Provided courier service, carried supplies and messages, evacuated allied prisoners and wounded personnel, and occasionally provided reconnaissance.From 1946–1950 provided rescue capabilities in Japan. Flew combat rescue and evacuation missions during the Korean War, 1950–1953. Credited with rescuing almost 10,000 United Nations personnel, including almost 1,000 combat saves behind enemy lines.
Returned to providing rescue capability in Japan, 1953–1957. Performed combat search, rescue, and recovery missions in Southeast Asia, 1966–1975. Credited with 3,681 saves, including 2,632 combat saves. Operated a Joint Service Rescue Center at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, for Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1966–1973.
Lineage
- Constituted 3d Emergency Rescue Squadron on 14 Feb 1944
- Activated on 15 Feb 1944
- Re-designated: 3d Rescue Squadron on 28 Jan 1948
- Re-designated: 3d Air Rescue Squadron on 10 Aug 1950
- Re-designated: 3d Air Rescue Group on 14 Nov 1952
- Inactivated on 18 Jun 1957
- Re-designated 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, and activated, on 14 Dec 1965
- Organized on 8 Jan 1966
- Inactivated on 31 Jan 1976
- Re-designated 563d Rescue Group on 29 Jul 2003
- Activated on 1 Oct 2003.
Assignments
- Army Air Forces Training CommandArmy Air Forces Training CommandArmy Air Forces Training Command was a command of the United States Army Air Forces. It was redesignated Air Training Command on 1 July 1946 as part of the reorganization of the Army Air Forces after World War II....
, 15 Feb 1944 - AAF Eastern Technical Training Command, 4 Mar 1944
- Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 28 Jul 1944 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 17 Aug 1944
- Under operational control of V Bomber CommandV Bomber CommandThe V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946....
, 26 Aug – 2 Oct 1944- 5276th Rescue Composite Group (Provisional), 2 Oct 1944
- 5th Emergency Rescue Group, 16 Mar 1945
- V Bomber CommandV Bomber CommandThe V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946....
, 21 Nov 1945 - 314th Composite Wing, 31 May 1946
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 6 Jun 1946 - Air Rescue ServiceAir Rescue ServiceThe Air Rescue Service is a disestablished organization in the United States Air Force. Previously a subcommand of the Military Air Transport Service , a USAF major command , ARS was redesignated as the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service on 1 Jan 1966 when MATS was redesignated as the Military...
, 1 May 1949 – 18 Jun 1957
- Attached to Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 1 May 1949 – 18 May 1951 - Attached to 314th Air Division314th Air DivisionThe 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986....
, 18 May 1951 – 14 Nov 1952 - Attached to Japanese Air Defense Force; 14 Nov 1952 – 1 Aug 1954
- Attached to Far East Air Forces, 1 Aug 1954 – 18 Jun 1957
- Pacific Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Center (later, 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing; 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing), 8 Jan 1966 – 31 Jan 1976
- 347th Rescue Wing347th Rescue WingThe 347th Rescue Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 October 2006...
, 1 Oct 2003 – present
Components
- 33d Air Rescue Squadron: 20 Sep 1955 – 18 Jun 1957
- 36th Air Rescue Squadron: 14 Nov 1952 – 18 Jun 1957
- 37th Air Rescue (later, 37 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery) Squadron: 14 Nov 1952 – 8 May 1955; 8 Jan 1966-20 Aug 1972
- 38th Air Rescue (later, 38 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery) Squadron: 14 Nov 1952 – 18 Jun 1957; 8 Jan 1966-1 Jul 1972
- 39th Air Rescue (later, 39 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery) Squadron: 14 Nov 1952 – 18 Jun 1957; 18 Jan 1967-30 Apr 1972
- 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron: 18 Mar 1968 – 20 Aug 1972
- 48th Rescue Squadron48th Rescue SquadronThe 48th Rescue Squadron 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:...
: 1 Oct 2003 – present - 55th Rescue Squadron55th Rescue SquadronThe 55th Rescue Squadron is an aviation unit of the United States Air Force. It operates the HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide...
: 1 Oct 2003 – present - 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron: 8 Jul – 20 Aug 1972
- 58th Rescue Squadron58th Rescue SquadronThe 58th Rescue Squadron is one of only four active-duty Guardian Angel squadrons under the command of the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona but located at Operating Site Alpha, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.-History:...
: 1 Oct 2003 – present - 60th Air Rescue Squadron: 8 Apr 1956 – 18 Jun 1957
- 66th Rescue Squadron66th Rescue SquadronThe 66th Rescue Squadron is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where it operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue and combat search and rescue missions...
: 1 Oct 2003 – present - 79th Rescue Squadron79th Rescue SquadronThe 79th Rescue Squadron operates the HC-130P Hercules and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. It conducts helicopter air refueling, airdrop, and airland of pararescue personnel and/or equipment in support of combat personnel recovery...
: 1 Oct 2003 – present - 2157th Air Rescue Squadron: 1 Mar 1953 – 8 Apr 1956.
Stations
- Gulfport Army Airfield, Mississippi, 15 Feb 1944
- Keesler Field, Mississippi, 1 Apr 1944
- Ground echelon left Keesler Field on 18 May 1944 and arrived at Oakland Army BaseOakland Army BaseThe Oakland Army Base, also known as the Oakland Army Terminal, was a former United States Army base in the San Francisco Bay Area of California...
, California, 20 May 1944 - Ground echelon: Archerfield AirportArcherfield AirportArcherfield Airport is a small airport located 7 1/2 miles at Archerfield in the south west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time it was the primary airport in Brisbane. During World War II it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s...
, Brisbane, Australia, 17 Jun 1944 - Ground echelon: Oro Bay AirfieldOro Bay AirfieldOro Bay Airfield is a former World War II airfield in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. The airfield was abandoned after the war and today is almost totally returned to its natural state.-History:...
, New Guinea, 20 Jun 1944 - Ground echelon: Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Netherlands East Indies, 2 Sep 1944
- Air echelon left Keesler Field on 5 Jul 1944 and arrived at Sacramento Air Depot, CA, 6 Jul 1944
- Air echelon: Fairfield-Suisun Army Airfield, California, 15 Aug 1944
- Air echelon: Archerfield AirportArcherfield AirportArcherfield Airport is a small airport located 7 1/2 miles at Archerfield in the south west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time it was the primary airport in Brisbane. During World War II it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s...
, Brisbane, Australia, 1 Sep 1944 - Air echelon: joined ground echelon at Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Netherlands East Indies, 29 Sep 1944
- Dulag AirfieldDulag AirfieldDulag Airfield is a World War II airfield located near Dulag in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It was closed after the war.-History:The airfield was built by the Japanese during the Occupation of the Philippines in 1943...
, Leyte, Philippines, Nov 1944 - Tacloban Airfield, Leyte, Philippines, 1 Apr 1945
- Floridablanca Airfield, Luzon, Philippines, 21 May 1945
- Ie Shima AirfieldIe Shima Airfieldis a gunnery and training facility, managed by the United States Marine Corps and a former World War II airfield complex on Ie Shima, an island located off the northwest coast of Okinawa Island in the East China Sea...
, Okinawa, 15 Sep 1945 - Atsugi Airfield, Japan, 6 Oct 1945
- Nagoya Airfield, Japan, 17 Jun 1946
- Yokota AB, Japan, 15 Jul 1947
- Johnson AB, Japan, 1 Apr 1950
- Nagoya AB (later, Nagoya Air Station; Moriyama Air Station), Japan, 9 Dec 1953 – 18 Jun 1957
- Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, 8 Jan 1966
- Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 15 Feb 1973
- U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, 15 Sep 1975 – 31 Jan 1976
- Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, 1 Oct 2003 – present