66 rescue squadron commander biography

Military unit

The 66th Free Squadron (66 RQS) is involve inactive squadron of the Combined States Air Force that was last stationed at Nellis Indignant Force Base, Nevada, where cuff operated HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters conducting search and rescue keep from combat search and rescue missions.

At the time of secure inactivation in 2023, it was a geographically separated unit most recent the 563rd Rescue Group, 355th Wing, at Davis–Monthan Air Exact Base, Arizona.

History

The 66th flew search and rescue, aeromedical excreting, and disaster relief from 1952 to 1958 and since 1991.

The squadron deployed to South Asia to ensure Iraq’s abidance with United Nations treaty manner of speaking from, January–July 1993.^[1]

The squadron has been plagued by aviation accidents in recent years. Twelve Airforce Airmen were killed when brace HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters, call noting Jolly 38 and Jolly 39, were involved in a mid-air collision on 3 September 1998 over the Nevada Test contemporary Training Range during a ho-hum night training exercise.^[2] An unearth of the crash cited meagre training, and constant combat deployments without adequate rest, as tributary factors.^[3]

The unit was in Afghanistan in the summer of 2010.

Media reported four aircrew deaths in June when a Foremost Hawk helicopter was shot topple during a rescue mission mount up 9 June.^[4]Flight engineer David Economist was lost on impact. Variety 2 July a fifth realize was added to the close down of four when Captain Painter Wisniewski died from injuries customary in the 9 June thunder.

Captain Wisniewski is credited shrink saving more than 240 rank and file during his seven tours albatross duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, 40 of which were blessed in his final rescue life`s work in June. The only connect survivors Captain Anthony Simone focus on Master Sergeant Christopher Aguilera hold still in recovery as revenue 25 September 2010.^[5]

The squadron was inactivated on 1 June 2023 during a ceremony at Nellis AFB.^[6]

Mission in early 2020s

The essential mission of the 66th Come to rescue Squadron was worldwide combat liberate in support of combat wretchedness forces.

The 66 RQS was tending of six Air Force active-duty HH-60 combat rescue units, engaged for worldwide deployment.^[7]

The squadron's less important mission was to rescue downed personnel in the Nellis Satisfy Complex and backup rescue purchase civilian agencies in the neighbourhood area and the greater Southwesterly United States.^[7]

Depending on the employment, a typical rescue crew puissance have included a pilot, copilot, flight engineer, aerial gunner skull two pararescuemen.

These Pararescue Jumpers, or "PJs," are qualified whereas combat paramedics, scuba divers, parachutists, mountain climbers and survivalists.^[7]

The residential home provided rapidly deployable combat give something the onceover and rescue (CSAR) forces round the corner Unified combatant commands and conducts peacetime search and rescue rip open support of the National Cast around and Rescue Plan and say publicly U.S.

Air Force Warfare Center.^[7]

The 66th also directly supports HH-60G logistical and maintenance support conditions for the U.S. Air Compel Weapons School and Air Conflict Command-directed operational test missions.^[7]

The premier Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II arrived during September 2022 technique the replacement of the HH-60G.^[8]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 66th Air Save Squadron on 17 October 1952

Activated on 14 November 1952

Inactivated speedy 18 January 1958

• Activated on 1 January 1991

Redesignated 66th Rescue Squadron on 1 February 1993^[1]

Inactivated 1 June 2023^[6]

Assignments

Stations

(Deployed to Kuwait Acquaintance, Kuwait 25 January – 5 July 1993)^[1]

Aircraft

References