36th Rescue Squadron

36th Rescue Squadron
200px 36th Rescue Flight Patch
Active	14 November 1952 – 18 September 1960 18 June 1961 – 30 November 1972 1 May 1993 – Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Search and Rescue
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Fairchild Air Force Base
Decorations	DUC Navy MUC AFOUA ROK PUC

The 36th Rescue Squadron (36th RQS) at Fairchild AFB Washington is part of the 58th Operations Group, 58th Special Operations Wing since 2012. It was formerly part of the 336th Training Group at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It operates UH-1N Iroquois Twin Huey aircraft conducting search and rescue missions in support of the US Air Force Survival School in Washington state. The 36th Rescue flight was formally upgraded to squadron level when it was re-designated as the 36th Rescue Squadron on 14 August 2015.

Mission

According to Fairchild Air Force Base, the primary mission of the 36th rescue squadron is to support the activities of the USAF Survival School through hands-on helicopter operations, support the National Search and Rescue Plan by providing assistance to local authorities, and to provide the Department of Defense with exceptionally qualified crewmembers.

The 36th RQF also supports the National Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Plan by conducting SAR and medical evacuation missions in a 4-state region, from the Cascades in Washington to the Rockies in western Montana. The unit has the only hoist-equipped aircraft and Night Vision Goggle (NVG)-qualified aircrews in the Inland Northwest. SAR missions are conducted both day and night, often at high altitude in treacherous mountain terrain, in areas completely inaccessible by ground vehicle.

History

The 36th flew combat rescue missions in the Korean War from, November 1952 – July 1953. It conducted search, rescue, and recovery missions in Japan and the waters around Japan from, 1952–1960 and 1961–1972. Since May 1993 the squadron has operated helicopters for survival training.

The 36th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron Flew combat rescue missions in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand) 1966-end of hostilities primarily "Crown" rescue coordination and command missions. The unit received Presidential Unit Citation for its participation on combat operations in theater.

Operations

• Korean War

Lineage

• 36th Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1965)
• 36th Air Recovery Squadron (1965–1966)
• 36th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966–1972)
• 36th Rescue Flight (1993–2015)
• 36th Rescue Squadron (2015–Present)

Assignments

• 3d Air Rescue Group (1952–1957)
• 2d Air Rescue Group (1957–1958)
  • Attached: Fifth Air Force
• Air Rescue Service (1958–1960)
  • Attached: Fifth Air Force

• Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (1961–1967)
  • Attached: Fifth Air Force
• 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (1967–1972)
• 92d Air Refueling Wing (1993)
• 336th Training Group (1993–2012)
• 58th Special Operations Wing (2012–Present)

Bases stationed

• Johnson Air Base, Japan (1952–1960)
• Tachikawa Air Base, Japan (1960, 1961–1969)
• Yokota Air Base, Japan (1969–1972)
• Kadena Air Base, Okinawa (1972)
• Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (1993–Present)

Aircraft Operated

• SA-16 Albatross (1952–1960)
• H-19 Chickasaw (1952–1960)
• C-47 Skytrain (1952–1956)
• SC-54 (1955–1960)
• HC-54 (1961–1966)
• HH-19 Chickasaw (1961–1964)
• HH-43 Huskie (1964–1965)
• HC-130 Hercules (1966–1972)
• UH-1N Iroquois (1993–Present)

References

Bibliography

• USAF 36th Rescue Flight History
• 36th Rescue Flight Fact Sheet
• U.S. Air Force Survival School Fact Sheet