106th Rescue Wing
Encyclopedia
The 106th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard
unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport
, Westhampton Beach, New York
. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA. The 106th is also afforded the honor of being the oldest unit in the Air National Guard.
) formed in 1915 and which was federalized in 1916 in Hempstead Plains, Mineola, Long Island. The unit's flying activities were recorded in a May 1, 1908 article in the New York Herald, "On a cool spring evening on the last day in April, 1908, a group of New York National Guardsman gathered at the 77th Regimental Armory on Park Avenue in the City of New York in order to learn the fine art of flying a balloon. The instructors included Lt. Frank P. Lahm and Auguste Post."
Several years later, in 1916, Capt. Raynal C. Bolling, then Solicitor General of United Steel Corporation, was activated and took command of the first flying squadron of the National Guard.
Since then the unit has achieved a number of honors, including the following:
Shortly after the Air Force was formed in November 1947, the New York National Guard 106th Bombardment Group and its units, 102nd Bombardment Squadron (Light) and the 114th BS(L) were relocated to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Peacetime operations continued from Brooklyn until 1 March 1951 when another call to active duty came. Assigned to Strategic Air Command, the squadron relocated to March AFB, California, and was subsequently redesignated the 106th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 1 May 1951. Conversion to the new Boeing B-29A Superfortress began, and 16 June 1951 saw the 106th BG(L) redesignated the 106th Bomb Wing (Medium) under the Strategic Air Command (SAC). The 106th continued operations under SAC until it was redesignated the 320th Bomb Wing (BW) Medium (M) on 16 June 1952.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport
Francis S. Gabreski Airport
Francis S. Gabreski Airport is a county-owned, civil airport located north of the central business district of Westhampton Beach, in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, United States. It is approximately east of New York City....
, Westhampton Beach, New York
Westhampton Beach, New York
Westhampton Beach is an Incorporated Village in the town of Southampton, Suffolk County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,902.-History:...
. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA. The 106th is also afforded the honor of being the oldest unit in the Air National Guard.
Federal Mission
Provide trained and equipped personnel, capable of augmenting active duty forces in time of war, national emergencies and increased national security.State Mission
Assist the State of New York in disaster relief and other state emergencies as directed by the governor.History
The lineage of this unit is traced back to the 1st Aero Company, New York National Guard (see history at 102d Rescue Squadron102d Rescue Squadron
The 102d Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard and the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. It has flown a number of aircraft including balloons, biplanes, and helicopters, though it currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules for its missions...
) formed in 1915 and which was federalized in 1916 in Hempstead Plains, Mineola, Long Island. The unit's flying activities were recorded in a May 1, 1908 article in the New York Herald, "On a cool spring evening on the last day in April, 1908, a group of New York National Guardsman gathered at the 77th Regimental Armory on Park Avenue in the City of New York in order to learn the fine art of flying a balloon. The instructors included Lt. Frank P. Lahm and Auguste Post."
Several years later, in 1916, Capt. Raynal C. Bolling, then Solicitor General of United Steel Corporation, was activated and took command of the first flying squadron of the National Guard.
Since then the unit has achieved a number of honors, including the following:
- Oldest Unit in the ANG
- Balloon training in 1908 in NYC (100 years old)
- Federally recognized in 1916
- First ANG pilot, Beckwith Havens. Alluding to Pvt. Havens, a member of the Glenn CurtissGlenn CurtissGlenn Hammond Curtiss was an American aviation pioneer and a founder of the U.S. aircraft industry. He began his career as a bicycle then motorcycle builder and racer, later also manufacturing engines for airships as early as 1906...
exhibition team, the New York Times reported, "It will be the first time the National Guard has figured in actual military aviation in this country." - The First Multi-Aircraft Cross-Country Flight
- 1920s commander was Major George A. VaughnGeorge Augustus Vaughn, Jr.George Augustus Vaughn, Jr. was an American fighter ace in World War I and Distinguished Service Cross, Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star recipient....
, a World War I ace (12 aircraft) - 1930s member was Thomas J. Watson, Jr., who went on to become chairman of IBM
- The official Space ShuttleSpace ShuttleThe Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
rescue team
106th Bomb Wing (New York Air National Guard)
- Ordered to active duty on: 1 March 1951.
- At: March AFB, CA.
- Transferred to Strategic Air Command on 1 March 1951
- Assigned to: Fifteenth Air Force.
- Equipment: B-29s.
- Redesignated as 320th Bomb Wing on 16 June 1952.
Shortly after the Air Force was formed in November 1947, the New York National Guard 106th Bombardment Group and its units, 102nd Bombardment Squadron (Light) and the 114th BS(L) were relocated to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Peacetime operations continued from Brooklyn until 1 March 1951 when another call to active duty came. Assigned to Strategic Air Command, the squadron relocated to March AFB, California, and was subsequently redesignated the 106th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 1 May 1951. Conversion to the new Boeing B-29A Superfortress began, and 16 June 1951 saw the 106th BG(L) redesignated the 106th Bomb Wing (Medium) under the Strategic Air Command (SAC). The 106th continued operations under SAC until it was redesignated the 320th Bomb Wing (BW) Medium (M) on 16 June 1952.
1980s onwards
- First female officer in the Air National Guard, Norma Parsons-Erb
- October 1991, downed helicopter and lost pararescueman (TSgt. Arden "Rick" Smith) in storm, later became known as "The Perfect Storm"
- July 1996, first aircraft on-scene at TWA Flight 800
- 1998, longest over-water rescue mission in an HH-60, saved one soul, made famous by the book: Pararescue, The Untold Story of a rescue and the heroes that pulled it off, written by Michael Hirsh
- July 1999, located the transponder from the wreckage of John F. Kennedy, Jr.John F. Kennedy, Jr.John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. , often referred to as John F. Kennedy, Jr., JFK Jr., John Jr. or John-John, was an American socialite, magazine publisher, lawyer, and pilot. The elder son of U.S. President John F...
's downed airplane - September 11, 2001, first ANG personnel on scene at World Trade Center
Major Command/Gaining Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(???-Present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1 June 1992- ???) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(???-1 June 1992)
Previous designations
- 106th Rescue Wing
- 106th Rescue Group
- 106th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group
- 106th Fighter Interceptor Group
- 106th Air Refueling Group
- 106th Air Transport Group
- 106th Fighter Interceptor Group
- 394th Bomb Wing (Medium)
Squadrons assigned
- 101st Rescue Squadron101st Rescue SquadronThe 101st Rescue Squadron is a combat rescue unit of the New York Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 106th Rescue Wing.-Mission:...
(2004–Present) - 102d Rescue Squadron102d Rescue SquadronThe 102d Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard and the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. It has flown a number of aircraft including balloons, biplanes, and helicopters, though it currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules for its missions...
(1947–Present) - 103d Rescue Squadron103d Rescue SquadronThe 103d Rescue Squadron flies the HH-60G Pavehawk. It is a unit of the New York Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 106th Rescue Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Force Special Operations Command...
(???-Present) - 106th Medical Group (2004–Present)
- 106th Operations Support Squadron
Aircraft & Missiles Operated
- HH-60G Pavehawk(199?-Present)
- HC-130N Hercules (???-Present)
- HH-3E Jolly Green (1975–1990)
- HC-130P Hercules (???-???)
- F-102A Delta Dagger (???-???)
- KC-97L Stratotanker (???-???)
- C-97G Stratofreighter (???-???)
- C-97A Stratofreighter (???-???)
- MC-119J Flying Boxcar (???-???)
- F-94B Starfire (???-???)
- B-26 MarauderB-26 MarauderThe Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
(???-???) - B-29 SuperfortressB-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
(???-???)
External links
- 106th Rescue Wing Official Homepage
- http://www.nysuff.ang.af.mil/
- First Aero Homepage