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

This picture of the 3rd Group Headquarters was provided by
Lieutenant Colonel John L. Holt (Retired)

Article from Unknown Source

The 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (3rd ARRGP) was located at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam (RVN). The 3rd ARRGP was comprised of these units:

The following information is extracted from the document History of The HQ. 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. This The Unofficial USAF HH-43 "Pedro" Crash Rescue - Air Rescue Web Site web site presents this information for your education and entertainment.

October 1, 1967 through December 31, 1967

Mission

To provide a tactical force for employment to rescue and personnel engaged in operations in or adjacent to hostile territory; provide Local Base Rescue Units at selected base; plan organize coordinate, and control the execution of personnel rescue operations; provide command and control of subordinate units, provide Joint Search and Rescue Center and Rescue Coordination Centers at selected locations. Geographic area of operation is Southeast Asia.

Subordinate Functions

Directorate of Aerospace Rescue and Recovery (DAR - 7th Air Force. Commander, 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group):

1. Advises the commander, 7th Air Force on matters pertaining to Rescue and Recovery requirements and
    procedures.
2. Coordinates on all matters pertaining to Aerospace Rescue and Recovery activities, requirements, and
    responsibilities in Southeast Asia (SEA).
3. Exercises all operational control of rescue forces in SEA in accordance with policies established by the
    commander, 7th Air Force and/or Commander Pacific Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Center (PARRC).
4. Keeps the Commander PARRC informed of Search and Rescue (SAR)/Recovery requirements and all planned or
    conducted  SAR operations.
5. Reports directly to the Commander, PARRC on command and administrative matters.

Organization

Command Operations

The 3rd ARRGP is assigned to the PARRC of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) Military Airlift Command (MAC) and comes under the operational control of the Commander, 7th Air Force. The 3rd ARRGP exercises command over the following units:

    Joint Search and Rescue Center (JSARC), Tan Son Nhut AB RVN
    OL 1, 3rd ARRGP (Rescue Coordination Center), Son Tra AB RVN
    OL 2, 3rd ARRGP (Rescue Coordination Center), Udorn AB Thailand
    37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRSq), Da Nang AB RVN
    38th ARRSq, Tan Son Nhut AB RVN
    39th ARRSq, Tuy Hoa AB RVN

These units have Detachments located in three nations and are responsible for search and rescue activities in an area encompassing 1.1 million square miles stretching from the Mekong River Delta to the Chinese border and to the Burmese Frontier.

The 3rd ARRGP headquarters is located at Tan Son Nhut AB RVN. The units under command of the group are located in the Republic of Viet Nam, Thailand, and the Philippines.

The organizational change to transpire during the period was the internal reorganization of two staff agencies within the Headquarters, 3rd ARRGP. At the direction of the Group Commander the JSARC was placed at the group staff level removing it from its former position as a subordinate function of the Group Operations Section. This change was instituted to increase the overall effectiveness of JSARC by placing it directly subordinate to Group Commander. During this same reorganization The Intelligence Section was place under the Group Operations Section , whereas it was formerly under the Commander, 3rd ARRGP.

Resources
Personnel
Authorized Versus Assigned

Manpower authorizations rose slightly during the quarter with an increase of two airmen, and civilians as follows:

Key Personnel

Commander
Vice Commander
Chief of Operations
Chief of JSARC
Chief of Maintenance
Chief of Plans
Information Officer
Supply Officer
Chief of Administrative Services

Change Of Command

On 6 October 1967 Colonel ___ assumed command of the 3rd ARRGP from Colonel ___. Colonel ___ is a command pilot and a veteran of over 25 years service.  He is a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts and left the University of North Carolina in April 1942 to enter the Cadet Training Program. he was commissioned in March 1943 and served as a pilot in the North African Theatre. His assignments include attending Armed Forces Staff College and the Air War College. Prior to his assignment to 3rd ARRGP he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Headquarters, ARRS.

Emphasis On People Program

The following items concerning the Emphasis On People Program were discussed during 3 meetings held during the quarter.

    a. It was suggested that a query be made to several manufacturers on obtaining a distinctive 3rd ARRGP tie pin.
    b. Materials have been gathered by the First Sergeant for the improvement of the barracks appearance.
        Self-help details will complete the work.
    c. A suggestion box was place in the coffee bar encouraging all personnel to actively participate in the EOP
        program.
    d. A combination cook-out/baseball game was held in December and is planned on a recurring basis during
        holidays, etc.

 Awards And Decorations

Personnel of 3rd ARRGP continued to amass many varied decorations and awards. The highest decoration presented during the quarter was the Air Force Cross to Captain ___.

Decorations
1 October - 31 December 1967

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This Web Page Updated March 26, 2008 .

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