The Unofficial U.S. Air Force HH-43B/F "PEDRO" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue Web Site

38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron

 

 


Lineage

Constituted 38 Air Rescue Squadron on 17 Oct 1952. Activated on 14 Nov 1952. Inactivated on 18 Sep 1957. Activated on 30 Jun 1965. Organized on 1 Jul 1965. Redesignated 38 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 Jan 1966. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1971. Activated on 1 Jul 1978. Redesignated: 38 Air Rescue Squadron on 1 Jun 1989; 38 Rescue Squadron on 1 Feb 1993; 38 Rescue Flight on 1 Jul 1994. Inactivated on 15 Feb 1996. Redesignated 38 Rescue Squadron on 2 Apr 2001. Activated on 1 May 2001.

Assignments

3d Air Rescue Group, 14 Nov 1952 (attached to HQ Far East Air Forces for operational control, 14 Nov 1952-1 Jul 1954; Japan Air Defense Force, 1 Jul-1 Aug 1954; HQ Far East Air Forces [later, Pacific Air Forces], 1 Aug 1954-c. 18 Sep 1957); 2 Air Rescue Group, 18 Jun-18 Sep 1957. Military Air Transport Service, 30 Jun 1965; Air Rescue Service, 1 Jul 1965 (attached to 2 Air Division for operational control, 1 Jul 1965-c. 7 Jan 1966); 3 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, 8 Jan 1966-1 Jul 1971. 39 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing, 1 Jul 1978; 41 Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 8 Jan 1981; Air Rescue Service, 1 Aug 1989; 51 Operations Group, 1 Feb 1993-15 Feb 1996. 347 Operations Group, 1 May 2001-.

Stations

Misawa AB, Japan, 14 Nov 1952-18 Sep 1957. Tan Son Nhut Afld (later, AB), South Vietnam, 1 Jul 1965-1 Jul 1971. Homestead AFB, FL, 1 Jul 1978-8 Jan 1981; Osan AB, South Korea, 8 Jan 1981-15 Feb 1996. Moody AFB, GA, 1 May 2001-

Commanders

Lt Col John E. McClure, 14 Nov 1952; Lt Col Joe D. Wheeler, 21 May 1953; Lt Col Roy Parnell, 13 Sep 1954; Maj Jack O. McReynolds, 12 Jul 1957; Maj Arthur W. Rochlin, 7 Aug-18 Sep 1957. Lt Col Edward Krafka, 1 Jul 1965; Lt Col Donald F. Karschner, 16 Oct 1965; Col Arthur W. Beall, 18 Nov 1965; Lt Col James L. Blackburn, 8 Jan 1966; Lt Col John A. Price, 4 Sep 1966; Lt Col Norman V. Rudrud, 14 Sep 1967; Lt. Col Edward J. Renth Jr., 22 Nov 1967; Lt Col James L. Price, 5 Jul 1969; Lt Col Donald E. Jensen, by 30 Jun 1970; Lt Col John F. Ward, by 30 Jun-1 Jul 1971. Lt Col James W. McElhaney, 1 Jul 1978; Lt Col Robert S. Michelsen, 11 Apr 1979; Lt Col Douglas M. Wendt, 18 Jul 1980; Lt Col Richard M. Baskett, 8 Jan 1981; Lt Col Forest M. Kimsey, 19 Aug 1981; Lt Col Richard G. Gasparian, by Jan 1983; Lt Col Raymond L. Stephens, 17 Jul 1984; Lt Col Ronald J. Sergott, 7 Jun 1985; Lt Col Theodore McKnight 26 Aug 1986; Lt Col Michael D. Gregersen, c. 17 Jul 1987; Lt Col Ronald E. Dietz, 20 Jul 1988; Lt Col Jack E. McPhie, by Jul 1989; Lt Col Thomas R. Friers, c. 27 Sep 1990; Lt Col Kenneth C. Stanley Jr., 1 Jul 1992; Lt Col Michael J. Hoelzel, 15 Jul 1993; Lt Col Page A. Wagner III, 30 Jun 1994; Maj Mark E. Bracich, 20 Jul 1995-15 Feb 1996.

Aircraft

SA-16, 1952-1957; H-5, 1953; H/SH-19, 1954-1957. CH/HH-3, 1965-1966; HH-43, 1965-1971. UH-1, 1978-1980; CH-3, 1979-1980, 1981-1990; HH-3, 1980, 1981-1990; HH-60, 1990-1995.

Operations

Search, rescue, and recovery in Japan and adjacent waters, 1952-1957; also in Korea and adjacent waters, 1952-1953. Operated 14 search and rescue detachments in Vietnam and Thailand, 1965-1971. Provided light-lift helicopter operations east of the Mississippi River, 1978-1980. Flew rescue helicopter operations in South Korea and adjacent waters, 1981-1995.

Campaign Streamers

Korea: Korea Summer-Fall 1952, Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer 1953. Vietnam: Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI.

Decorations

Distinguished Unit Citation: Korea, 1 May-27 Jul 1953. Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): [1 Jul]-31 Jul 1965; 1 Aug 1965-30 Jun 1966; 1 Jul 1967-31 Jan 1969; 1 Feb 1969-30 Apr 1970; 1 May 1970-1 Jul 1971. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jul-31 Dec 1966. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [8 Jan]-15 Jun 1981; 1 Apr 1984-31 Mar 1986; 1 Apr 1986-31 Mar 1988; 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994; 1-30 Nov 1995. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [14 Nov 1952]-31 Mar 1953. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 1966-[1 Jul 1971].

Mission

The mission of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron is to command, control, and provide administration and logistical support for the Local Base Rescue (LBR) detachments operating in SEA in the conduct of aircrew recovery, local base rescue, fire suppression and evacuation missions.

Organization
The 38th ARRSq. is assigned to the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, Military Airlift Command for command and control. The 38th ARRSq. in turn exercises command and control over 14 LBR detachments in SEA.

Aircraft
July 11, 1969
HH-43B #59-1569 was transferred from Det. #6, Bien Hoa AB, RVN to Det. #1, Phan Rang AB, RVN

July 14, 1969
HH-43B #59-1562 was transferred from Det. #3, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand to Det. #12, Utapao RTAFB, Thailand

July 19, 1969
HH-43B #59-1562 was destroyed by blast and flying debris when a crashed and burning B-52 blew up. Two of the Pedro crewmembers were killed in the crash and one was severely injured. Major Warren K. Davis and TSgt. Harry Cohen.

August 6, 1969
HH-43B #58-1859 was transferred from Det. #8, Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN to Det. #12, Utapao RTAFB, Thailand

August 7, 1969
HH-43B #60-282 was was lost at sea after experiencing complete engine failure while being flown from Thuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay. The crew escaped the sinking aircraft with minor injuries and were rescued by an Army helicopter.

August 11, 1969
HH-43F #62-4560 was transferred from Det. #10, Binh Thuy AB, RVN to Det. #11, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN

September 26, 1969
HH-43B #60-266 was transferred from Kaman Aerospace Corp. to Det. #11, Thuy Hoa AB. When this aircraft is operationally ready the "F" Model from Bien Thuy (Det. #10) will be returned to Det. #10.
 

If you have any additional information pertaining to the 38th ARRSq., please contact the Webmaster

This Web Page Updated January 13, 2007 .

 

Email the Webmaster

General Web Site Contents

Home Page The Entrance to The Web Site Web Site Search Page Search the Web Site
Firefighter Memorial Page USAF Firefighters Who Have Given Their Lives in The Line of Duty POW Memorial Page Pedro POW's from the Viet Nam War
Pedro Memorial Page Pedro Crew Members Who Have Given Their Lives in The Line of Duty Our Adopted POW/MIA's The United States POW/MIA's adopted by this web site.
We Shall Never Forget!
Military Firefighters Heritage Foundation Learn about the foundation and support its efforts. September 11th Archives Web site with an outstanding collection of archives
Pedro Honor Roll Those Pedro Crew Members Who Truly Dedicated Themselves to the Oath "...That Others May Live."

Firefighter Training

Images and a Video of Firefighters in Training
Airescue Information Newsletter The March - April 1964 Edition of this Newsletter. Casper 721 Is Down! The story of the Rescue of an Army Helicopter Crew
Patch Page A collection of HH-43 Related Patches Personnel Locator If you would like to post your contact information in hopes that an old friend will see, here's the place
Scrapbook A Collection of Miscellaneous Images and Memorabilia How To Display Our Flag Everything You Need to Know Regarding the Display of Our Flag
Food for Thought Check It Out and Decide for Yourself Web Site Awards Web Site Awards.
Guestbook Please Stop In and Leave Us A Note. Pedro Paraphernalia HH-43 Models, Books, Etc.
Links Some of the Web Master's Favorite Sites. Some of our visitor's favorite sites. Message Board & Blog and Chat Room Access Check out the latest history research projects and post to the new locater service. Also, start a discussion...Or schedule your own chats in the new chatroom.
Web Rings If you entered this site via a Web Ring, click here to return to the Web Ring Vote for This Site Top 100 Military Web Sites. If you have enjoyed this web site, please vote for us.

HH-43 Organization/Unit Histories

33d Air Rescue Squadron The First Search and Rescue Squadron Deployed to Southeast Asia Detachment #10, Eastern Air Rescue Center One of the Units Making Up the Provisional Group Sent To SEA During the Buildup Following The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
  Detachment #1, Provisional   2nd Search and Rescue Unit Assigned to Southeast Asia Detachment #2, Provisional Part of the 2nd Search and Rescue Units Assigned to Southeast Asia.
3rd Aerospace and Recovery Group All of the Rescue Squadrons in Southeast fell under the 3rd Group 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron All of the HH-43 Units in Southeast Asia fell under this squadron
Detachment #1, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Phan Rang AB, RVN Detachment #2, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Takli RTAFB, Thailand
Detachment #3, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Ubon RTAFB, Thailand Detachment #4, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit at Khorat RTAFB, Thailand
Detachment #6, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Bien Hoa AB, RVN Detachment #9, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Pleiku AB, RVN/Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
Detachment #10, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Binh Thuy AB, RV Detachment #11, 38th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron History of the unit out of Thuy Hoa AB, RV
Det. #4, 36th Aerospace Rescue & Recover Squadron History of the unit stationed in Osan, Korea. Det. #7, 40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Wing History of the unit out of Terrejon, Spain
Det. #1, Atlantic Air Rescue Center History of the unit at Spangdahlem AB, Germany Det. #32, Central Air Rescue Center History of the unit at Webb AFB, Texas
Det. #37, Central Air Rescue Center History of the unit at England AFB Det. #7, Western Air Rescue Center I currently have no info. available. Looking for contributions
Det. #16, Western Air Rescue Center History of this unit based out of Williams AFB, Arizona HH-43 Southeast Asia Aircraft Locator Database Containing Dates and Unit Locations Where Aircraft Were Assigned
Copyright © 1998 through 2008 The Unofficial USAF HH-43 "Pedro" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue Web Site . All rights reserved.