37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
Encyclopedia
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (37th ARRS) was a rescue squadron of the USAF active during the Vietnam War
.
and with a Detachment at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
. The squadron was responsible for aircrew recovery over North Vietnam, Laos and the Gulf of Tonkin.
On 30 March 1966, 2 HC-130
s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966.
On 16 January 1967, the squadron's HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly-formed 39th ARRS
. Also on 16 January Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was designated and organised at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s.
On 2 February 1967, all 5 HU-16s assigned to the 37th ARRS were transferred to the 33rd ARRS
at Naha, Okinawa.
September 1967, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB received its first 2 HH-53Bs.
May 1967, Detachment 1 38th ARRS
operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was reassigned to the 37th ARRS.
March 1968, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB was transferred to the 40th ARRS.
The 37th ARRS remained at Danang until it was deactivated on 30 November 1972. 5 of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II
.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
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History
On 8 January 1966, the 37th ARRS was activated at Danang Air Base operating 5 HU-16s on loan from the 31st ARRS and the 33rd ARRS33d Rescue Squadron
The 33d Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-History:...
and with a Detachment at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/23rd Wing Air Combat Command.The 231 Squadron "Hunter" is assigned to Udorn, equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet-A.-History:...
. The squadron was responsible for aircrew recovery over North Vietnam, Laos and the Gulf of Tonkin.
On 30 March 1966, 2 HC-130
HC-130
The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue and Combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport. The HC-130H and HC-130J versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role. The HC-130P and HC-130N Combat King models...
s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966.
On 16 January 1967, the squadron's HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly-formed 39th ARRS
39th Rescue Squadron
The 39th Rescue Squadron is part of the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It operates HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-History:...
. Also on 16 January Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was designated and organised at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s.
On 2 February 1967, all 5 HU-16s assigned to the 37th ARRS were transferred to the 33rd ARRS
33d Rescue Squadron
The 33d Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-History:...
at Naha, Okinawa.
September 1967, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB received its first 2 HH-53Bs.
May 1967, Detachment 1 38th ARRS
38th Rescue Squadron
The 38th Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operates various fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-Mission:...
operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was reassigned to the 37th ARRS.
March 1968, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB was transferred to the 40th ARRS.
The 37th ARRS remained at Danang until it was deactivated on 30 November 1972. 5 of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base , formerly Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, is a Royal Thai Navy facility used for riverine patrols along the Mekong River. It is located approximately 365 miles northeast of Bangkok, 9 miles west of Nakhon Phanom city in Nakhon Phanom Province in the...
, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II
Operation Linebacker II
Operation Linebacker II was a US Seventh Air Force and US Navy Task Force 77 aerial bombing campaign, conducted against targets in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam during the final period of US involvement in the Vietnam War...
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Operations and losses
- 18 October 1966, Crown Bravo, HU-16B Tail No 51-7145 was on an SAR orbit north of the DMZVietnamese Demilitarized ZoneThe Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.During the Second Indochina War , it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory.-...
when it radioed a Navy ship that it was returning to Danang. This was the last contact with the aircraft and no trace of the plane or 7 man crew was ever found. - 6 February 1967, Jolly Green 05, HH-3E BuNo 65-12779 had rescued CAPT Lucius L. Heiskell pilot of Nail 65 an O-1F FAC when it was hit by ground fire and crashed near the Mu Gia PassMu Gia PassThe Mu Gia Pass is a mountain pass in the Annamite Range between northern Vietnam and Laos, located 90 km northwest of Đồng Hới, Vietnam. The pass is 418 m above sea level and connects Route 15 from Tân Ấp in Vietnam to Route 12 in Khammouane Province in Laos....
, North Vietnam. Heiskell, the pilot, copilot and flight engineer were KIA-BNR, while the pararescueman Duane D. HackneyDuane D. HackneyDuane D. Hackney , of Flint, Michigan, a United States Air Force Pararescueman, was the most decorated airman in USAF history and the recipient of 28 decorations for valor in combat , and winner of the Cheney Award for 1967 Duane D. Hackney (June 5, 1947 – September 3, 1993), of Flint, Michigan, a...
survived the crash and was rescued by Jolly Green 36. - 16 February 1967, Jolly Green 56 took off to rescue the pilot of Dusty 71 an F-100F-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
shot down over Laos. The helicopter received ground fire and the pilot CAPT Angelo Pullara, was hit and killed. The helicopter returned safely to Saravane, Laos. The Dusty 71 pilot was rescued by Jolly Green 37. - 27 October 1967, Jolly Green 20, HH-3E Tail No 66-13283 was on a CSAR mission over Laos when it was hit in the engine by ground fire while hovering. Aircraft was destroyed by bombing. Survivors and ground party rescued by Jolly Green 07.
- 9 November 1967, Jolly Green 26, HH-3E Tail No 66-13279 and Jolly Green 29 were scrambled to extract the 5 surviving members of a Special Forces reconnaissance team that had suffered heavy casualties in Laos. JG29 successfully extracted 3 indigenous team members before being hit by ground fire, it departed and made an emergency landing at Khe SanhKhe SanhKhe Sanh is the district capital of Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, located 63 km west of Đông Hà.Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost in South Vietnam used during the Vietnam War. The airstrip was built in September 1962...
. JG26 extracted Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded, but JG26 was then hit by ground fire, crashed and burst into flames. A recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site, but due to fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time. On the morning of 10 November, the pilot CAPT Gerald O. YoungGerald O. YoungGerald Orren Young was a United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
was rescued after evading capture for some 17 hours after the crash. Later that morning the wreckage was searched and the charred remains of SP4 Kusick were recovered. The Copilot CAPT Ralph Brower, the Flight Engineer SSGT Eugene L Clay, the Pararescueman SGT Larry W. MayseyLarry W. MayseySergeant Larry Wayne Maysey was a United States Air Force pararescueman who was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, the Air Force's second-highest decoration ....
and MSGT Bruce Baxter were all KIA-BNR. CAPT Gerald Young was awarded the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. - 9 June 1968, Jolly Green 23 HH-3E Tail No 67-14710 was on CSAR for 1LT Walter R. Schmidt pilot of Hellborne 215 a USMC A-4CA-4 SkyhawkThe Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
shot down over the A Shau ValleyA Shau ValleyThe A Shau Valley is a valley in Vietnam's, Thừa Thiên province, west of the city of Huế along the border with Laos. The valley was one of the key entry points into South Vietnam for men and matériel brought along the Ho Chi Minh Trail by the communist forces and was the scene of heavy fighting...
. Voice contact was established with 1LT Schmidt, who reported he possibly had a broken arm and leg. Several attempts at pickup were made by the lead helicopter, Jolly Green 22, but it was driven off by intense ground fire. After suppressive fire was put in, JG23 moved in to attempt the pickup, JG23 reported taking hits and then caught fire. The pilot attempted to land in a small clearing, but the helicopter exploded when it hit the ground and burned intensely. There were no indications anyone survived the crash. Pilot Lt Jack Rittichier, Co-Pilot CAPT Richard C. Yeend, Flight Engineer SSGT Elmer L. Holden and Pararescueman James D. Locker were all KIA-BNR. The remains of the crew were returned and identified in September 2003.1LT Schmidt remains MIA presumed dead. - 5 October 1968, Jolly Green 10, HH-3E Tail No 65-12782 and another Jolly Green were scrambled to extract a Special Forces reconnaissance team callsign Carrot Top in Laos. The first JG went in under heavy ground fire, received damage to its fuel lines and had to abort the mission and return to the base. JG10 was shot down about 500m from the pick up point. The Pararescueman was able to pull the Pilot from the burning helicopter, but before he could return JG10 exploded, killing the Copilot Albert D. Wester and the Flight Engineer Gregory P. Lawrence who were trapped inside. Another Jolly Green was sent out to rescue the Special Forces team and the 2 survivors from JG10.
- 24 October 1969, Jolly Green 28 HH-3E tail No 66-13281 dropped pararescueman TSGT Donald G Smith to rescue the pilot of F-100 Misty 11A over Laos. As TSGT Smith and the pilot were being raised, hostile fire rendered the hoist inoperative and the cable was sheared, dropping them fifteen feet to the ground. TSGT Smith's position was surrounded by hostile forces and JG28 was downed by hostile fire. TSGT Smith controlled and directed the aircraft providing suppressive fire, resulting in the safe recovery of all downed personnel and he was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions
- 15 April 1970, Jolly Green 27, HH-3E Tail No 66-13280 and another Jolly Green were scrambled to rescue the survivors of a downed UH-1 near Dak Nay Puey, Kontum Province, Vietnam. JG27 made three rescue attempts, but was brought down by ground fire. The Pilot CAPT Travis H Scott was killed on impact. The copilot, MAJ Wofford, dragged the other two crewmen from the burning aircraft. The second HH-3 evacuated the survivors of the first HH-3 but was unable to rescue personnel in the downed UH-1. The Flight Engineer TSGT Gerald L. Hartzel and Pararescueman SSGT Luther E Davis later died from their injuries. MAJ Wofford was awarded the Air Force Cross and CAPT Scott was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross.
- 21 November 1970, Banana 01, HH-3E Tail No 68-12785 was deliberately crashed in the Son Tay POW Camp as part of Operation Ivory CoastOperation Ivory CoastOperation Ivory Coast was a failed rescue mission conducted in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War by United States Special Operations Forces and other elements of the U.S. Military....
. - 25 November 1971, Jolly Green 70, HH-53C Tail No 68-10366 crashed into the Song Na River, Gia Dinh, South Vietnam while on a CSAR mission. All 4 crewmen were killed.
- 3 April 1972, Jolly Greens of the squadron made two attempts to pick up LCOL Iceal HambletonIceal HambletonLieutenant Colonel Iceal E. "Gene" Hambleton was an officer of the United States Air Force, famous for being the subject of a long and costly search and rescue mission during the Vietnam War. During the rescue, he used the callsign "Bat 21 Bravo"...
Bat 21 Bravo near Quang TriQuang TriQuảng Trị is a town district of Quang Tri province in the North Central Coastal region of Vietnam. Significantly, it was the only South Vietnamese provincial capital to be captured by the North Vietnamese forces for a limited period in the 1972 offensive....
, South Vietnam, both times, they were driven off with heavy damage to their aircraft. On 6 April Jolly Green 67 HH-53C Tail No 68-10365 was designated to make the rescue attempt, but as it came to a hover over Hambleton, it was raked by heavy fire. JG67 aborted the rescue attempt and tried to maneuver to safety, but the enemy fire continued and JG67 crashed in a huge fireball a few km south of the pickup point. The fire was intense and lasted several days. All 6 crewmembers were killed. The remains of the crew were returned in June 1994 and were buried as a group at Arlington National CemeteryArlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
in November 1997. - 18 August 1972, HH-53C Tail No 68-10361 was destroyed on the ramp at Danang by a Vietcong 122mm rocket.
Assignments
- 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group
Bases stationed
- Danang Air Base, South Vietnam (1966–1972)
- Udorn Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdorn Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdorn Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/23rd Wing Air Combat Command.The 231 Squadron "Hunter" is assigned to Udorn, equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet-A.-History:...
, Thailand (1966–1968) - Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force BaseNakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force BaseNakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base , formerly Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, is a Royal Thai Navy facility used for riverine patrols along the Mekong River. It is located approximately 365 miles northeast of Bangkok, 9 miles west of Nakhon Phanom city in Nakhon Phanom Province in the...
, Thailand
Aircraft operated
- HU-16 (1966–1967)
- HC-130HC-130The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue and Combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport. The HC-130H and HC-130J versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role. The HC-130P and HC-130N Combat King models...
(1966–1967) - HH-3Sikorsky S-61RThe Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R...
(1966–1969) - HH-53B & C (1967–1972)