This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(December 2017)
55th Rescue Squadron
An A-10 Thunderbolt II provides cover for a 55th HH-60 Pave Hawk during an exercise
Active
1952–1960; 1961–1999; 2003–present
Country
United States
Branch
United States Air Force
Role
Search and Rescue
Part of
Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Nickname(s)
Night Hawks[1] Night Wings (1984-1988)
Motto(s)
Haec Ago Ut Alii Vivant These Things We Do That Others May Live[citation needed]
Engagements
Desert Storm Kosovo War[2]
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Insignia
55th Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 12 December 1988)[2]
55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron emblem (approved 12 December 1984)[1][3]
Military unit
The 55th Rescue Squadron is an aviation unit of the United States Air Force. It operates the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. 55th used to use the HH-60G Pave Hawk until switching to the HH-60W Jolly Green II. They tactically employ the HH-60W 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.[4]
Since 2003, the squadron provided rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces worldwide; and deployed aircraft and crews in response to national disasters, domestic search and rescue, and medical evacuation ("MEDEVAC") missions.
^ abEndicott, p. 598
^ abcHaulman, Daniel L. (12 May 2017). "Factsheet 55 Rescue Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
^"Approved insignia for: 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron". National Archives Catalog. 4 February 1986. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
^Staff writer, no byline (2 August 2006). "Library: Fact Sheet 563rd Rescue Group (AFSOC)". 355th Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
and 24 Related for: 55th Rescue Squadron information
The 55thRescueSquadron is an aviation unit of the United States Air Force. It operates the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and provides rapidly...
force rescuesquadrons both active, inactive, and historical. A rescuesquadron's main task is to provide both combat, and peacetime search and rescue operations...
operates the HH-60G Pave Hawk. Its mission is similar to the 55thRescueSquadron. The squadron also meets HH-60G logistical and maintenance support requirements...
Retrieved 1 October 2022. "55th Fighter Squadron". Shaw Air Force Base. Retrieved 30 September 2022. Maurer, ed. (1982). Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World...
collision between a squadron HC-54D and a HC-97G of the 55th Air RescueSquadron while filming a training film.) "57th Air RescueSquadron". USAF Patches.com...
The 55th Space Weather Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 50th Operations Group at Schriever Air Force...
as NAS Bermuda, McCoy AFB briefly became home to the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (55 ARRS) and its HC-130 Hercules aircraft. Assigned...
the 55th Electronic Combat Group, 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. On 1 October 2003, the three combat search-and-rescuesquadrons fell...
The 42d Electronic Combat Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis–Monthan...
1974 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (later 55th Special Operations Squadron): 1 January 1970 – 18 April 1989 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery...
The 512th RescueSquadron is part of the 58th Special Operations Wing based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It formerly operated the Bell UH-1N...
was an MH-60 Pave Hawk from the now inactivated 55th SOS at Hurlburt Field. The plan called for the rescue helicopters to refuel immediately before crossing...
Airborne Command and Control Squadron was an airborne command and control unit located at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The squadron was an integral part of...
F-15C of the 44th Fighter Squadron crashed into the ocean off Okinawa. The pilot ejected and was rescued by the Air Rescue Wing Naha Detachment of the...
of search and rescue operations." The squadron was first organized at Kelly Field, Texas in the summer of 1917 as the 97th Aero Squadron. After little...
associated 55th, 77th, and 79th Tactical Fighter Squadrons were officially re-designated the 20th Fighter Wing and 55th, 77th and 79th Fighter Squadrons on 1...
3rd Fighter Training Squadron, which was replaced by the 353rd Fighter Squadron (later redesignated as a Combat Training Squadron). Within the first year...