“There was only one man on the ground that day that would have turned down a ride out of that hellhole – and that man was Pitsenbarger.”
– F. David Peters, C Co, 2nd Btn, 16th Inf, 1st ID
37th ARRS: A Legacy of Courage in Air Rescue Operations
The Air Rescue Service (later the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service) first used Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopters, unofficially known as “Pedro” from their radio call sign. They later added larger Sikorsky H-3 helicopters, nicknamed “Jolly Green Giants,” with greater range. The 37th ARRS was activated initially during the Korean War when helicopters were first used for medical evacuation. The Jolly Green most notably served during the Vietnam War, during which, in addition to their helicopters, they also flew the Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibious flying boat and the HC-130 specialized variant of the Hercules transport. They carried out numerous search and rescue operations in combat areas, including the evacuations of Phnom Penh and Saigon and during the assault on Koh Tang Island during the Mayaguez incident. Air Force TWS currently lists 131 members who served with this unit.
On October 17, 1952, B Flight of the 3rd Air Rescue Group was constituted as the 37th Air Rescue Squadron, absorbing all the aircraft and personnel from A Flight. The Squadron was officially activated and assigned to the 3rd Air Rescue Group on November 14, 1952, stationed at Komaki AB, Japan. It initially utilized SB-29 and SC-47 aircraft, part of the former A Flight. The Squadron subsequently relocated to Yokota AB, Japan, on July 23, 1954, but ceased using the SC-47 when it was retired from service. The SB-29 continued in service until the original Squadron’s deactivation on May 8, 1955. The Squadron operated a variety of aircraft in Southeast Asia because air rescue was seriously needed and new airframes to perform these duties were coming online. On March 30, 1966, two HC-130s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966. On January 16, 1967, the Squadron’s HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly formed 39th ARRS. Also on January 16, Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was re-designated from Det. 5, 38th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s.
The Role of 37th ARRS in Vietnam’s Combat Search and Rescue
On January 8, 1966, the 37th ARRS was activated at Da Nang Air Base, operating 5 HU-16s on loan from the 31st ARRS and the 33rd ARRS 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 March 30, 1966, 2 HC-130s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966.
On January 16, 1967, the Squadron’s HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly formed 39th ARRS. Also, on January 16, Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was redesignated from Det. 5, 38th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s.
On February 2, 1967, all 5 HU-16s assigned to the 37th ARRS were transferred to the 33rd ARRS at Naha, Okinawa.
In September 1967, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB received its first 2 HH-53Bs.
In May 1967, Detachment 1, 38th ARRS operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was reassigned to the 37th ARRS.
In March 1968, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB was transferred to the 40th ARRS.
The 37th ARRS remained at Danang until it was inactivated on November 30, 1972. Five of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. At the same time, its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II.
Chronological Summary of Lineage
Constituted as the 37th Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952. Activated on 14 November 1952, Inactivated on 8 May 1955.
Redesignated 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and activated on 14 December 1965 (not organized. Organized on 8 January 1966), Inactivated on 29 December 1972, Activated on 1 October 1973.
Redesignated 37th Air Rescue Squadron on 1 June 1989.
Redesignated 37th Rescue Squadron on 1 February 1993.
Redesignated 37th Rescue Flight on 1 May 1993.
Redesignated 37th Helicopter Flight on 1 May 1998.
Redesignated 37th Helicopter Squadron on 21 October 2005.
Assignments
3d Air Rescue Group: 14 November 1952 – 8 May 1955
Military Air Transport Service: 14 December 1965 (not organized)
Military Airlift Command: 1 January 1966 (not organized)
3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group: 8 January 1966
41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing: 20 August 1972 – 29 December 1972 (remained under operational control of 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group)
Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service: 1 October 1973
39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing: 1 July 1978
41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing: 1 February 1987
Air Rescue Service: 1 August 1989
90th Operations Group: 1 February 1993 (attached to 20th AF Helicopter Operations Group (Provisional) after 1 August 2014)
582d Helicopter Group, 15 January 2015 – present
Detachments
Det.1 had HH-1H at Davis-Monthan AFB for missile site support during the mid-70s until closing in late 1985
Det.2 had UH-1F at Ellsworth AFB
Det.3 had UH-1F and HH-1H at Grand Forks AFB, later 79 RQF (Rescue Flight)
Det.4 at Little Rock AFB
Det.5 at Malmstrom AFB from 1964 until redesignated 40th Helicopter Flight in 1998
Det.6 at McConnell AFB
Det.7 at Minot AFB, later 54 HF
Det.8 at Vandenberg AFB later 76 HF
Det.9 at Whiteman AFB
Det.10 at F. E. Warren AFB later 37 HS
Decorations
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
“Air operations over dangerous enemy territory forced Search and Rescue (SAR) to evolve into Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) teams. While the helicopters made a rescue, US fighters protected them from North Vietnamese MiGs. Also, Douglas A-1 Skyraiders, known by their call sign Sandy, joined the rescue efforts. The A-1’s long loiter time helped in locating downed aircrew, and its heavy armament suppressed enemy ground fire during the rescue attempt.”
37th ARRS and the Evolution of Air Rescue Technology
A major improvement came in November 1965, when the Sikorsky HH-53E “Super Jolly Green Giants” arrived. Capable of being refueled in flight by Lockheed HC-130 King Birds, the HH-53E helicopters could reach any point in the Southeast Asia theater.
During the Southeast Asia War, CSAR personnel significantly impacted and lived up to their motto: That Others May Live. They saved a total of 4,120 people, including 2,780 in combat situations. Their individual achievements earned them two Medals of Honor, 38 Air Force Crosses, and numerous other awards. However, the cost was high, as 71 US rescue personnel were killed, and 45 aircraft were destroyed during the war.
The blood-red beret, symbolizing sacrifice, has been the pararescueman or “PJ” (for para jumper) mark of distinction since early 1966. The PJ’s unique mission in the Southeast Asia War was to ride into a combat zone aboard a rescue helicopter and descend into jungles, swamps, mountains, and forests on a cable and winch. On the ground, they stabilized and helped hoist the injured to safety, often under fire. All volunteers, the PJs earned more decorations per man than any other USAF group in the SEA War.
William H. Pitsenbarger’s Heroism with the 37th ARRS
Arriving in Vietnam in August 1965, A1C Pitsenbarger (37th ARRS designated to 38th ARRS) completed more than 250 missions, including one in which he hung from an HH-43‘s cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. This action earned him the Airman’s Medal and the Republic of Vietnam’s Medal of Military Merit and Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm. For coordinating successful rescues, caring for the wounded, and sacrificing his life while aggressively defending his comrades on April 11th, 1966, William H. Pitsenbarger received the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966. After review, the original award was upgraded, and on December 8, 2000, the Medal of Honor was presented to his family in a ceremony at the US Air Force Museum. Airman Pitsenbarger is the 59th Medal of Honor recipient and the sixth enlisted recipient from the Air Force and its predecessor organizations.
Though numerous books and films have been produced involving the 37th and other USAAF/AF rescue units, perhaps this example by Wayne Mutza from Schiffer Publishing would be a place to begin: “This definitive work on air rescue operations of the US Army Air Force and US Air Force takes the reader from the birth of the service during World War II, through the Korean War and Vietnam War, to present-day operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Detailed text, accompanied by numerous photos-including many never before published-presents all aspects of air rescue operations, from the service’s founding, specialized training and equipment, and discussions of such varied aircraft types as the Stinson L-5, Douglas SC-47, Fairchild SC-82A “Packet”, Boeing HC-97G “Strato-Rescuer”, Bell H-1 “Huey”, Sikorsky H-3 “Jolly Green Giant”, and many more. During the Cold War, this air arm expanded greatly and added the new mission of astronaut recovery through the early years of the US space program, as well as providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters worldwide. Air rescue came into its own during the war in Vietnam, when it became a highly skilled and effective force, rescuing thousands of fliers downed in combat, along with beleaguered ground troops. The present [USAF air
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