Role Search and Rescue | ||
Active 17 Oct 1952 - 1 Aug 19751 May 1993 - 29 Aug 2007 Part of Air Force Space Command30th Space Wing30th Operations Group Garrison/HQ Vandenberg Air Force Base | ||
The 76th Helicopter Squadron is an inactivated United States Air Force unit that was based at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California assigned to the 30th Operations Group, 30th Space Wing that was tasked to support range operations as well as search and rescue missions. The squadron operated the UH-1N Huey helicopter.
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History
Provided search, rescue, and recovery services in central and southern Pacific Ocean areas. Supported space recovery operations for Discoverer, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab programs. Maintained aircraft at Johnson Island during atomic bomb tests in the Pacific. Search, rescue, recovery, and other missions in area of Vandenberg Air Force Base, especially during periods of missile launches.
The unit logged more than 35,000 hours of accident free flying hours. The helicopter squadron has supported high profile rescue and fire suppression missions, including humanitarian relief in the Gulf States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.