33d Rescue Squadron

Updated on Nov 09, 2023

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Country United States Garrison/HQ Kadena Air Base		Type Search and Rescue

Active 14 November 1952 – 18 March 1960 18 June 1961 – 1 October 1970 1 July 1971 – present Branch United States Air Force Part of Pacific Air Forces 5th Air Force 18th Wing 18th Operations Group

The 33d Rescue Squadron (33 RQS) is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

History

The 33d has performed search, rescue, and recovery missions from 1952–1960, 1961–1970, and since 1971. The squadron flew missions in support of the Vietnam War from 1965–1967. The 33d supported operations following the seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea between 29 January and 16 September 1968 and aided search efforts and salvage operations from September–October 1983, after a Soviet fighter aircraft shot down South Korean airliner KAL 007.

Operations

Vietnam War

Operation Enduring Freedom- Multiple deployments from 2005–present

Significant Awards

2009 USAF Vern Orr Award

2009 MacKay Trophy

2011 MacKay Trophy

Lineage

33d Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1965)

33d Air Recovery Squadron (1965–1966)

33d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966–1989)

33d Air Rescue Squadron (1989–1993)

33d Rescue Squadron (1993 – present)

Bases stationed

Kadena Air Base, Okinawa (1952–1955)

Naha Air Base, Okinawa (1955–1960, 1961–1970)

Kadena Air Base, Okinawa (1971 – present)

References

33d Rescue Squadron Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA