Lineage

Constituted 71st Air Rescue Squadron on 17 Oct 1952. Activated on 14 Nov 1952. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 18 Mar 1960. Redesignated 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 25 Nov 1969. Activated on 8 Mar 1970. Redesignated 71st Air Rescue Squadron on 1 Jun 1989. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1991. Activated on 1 Oct 1991. Redesignated 71st Rescue Squadron on 1 Feb 1993.

Assignments

10th Air Rescue Group, 14 Nov 1952 (attached to Alaskan Air Command for operational control, 1 Aug 1954-23 May 1958); Air Rescue Service, 21 Oct 1957-18 Mar 1960.39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing, 8 Mar 1970 (attached to Det 1, 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing. 8 Mar 1970-30 Jun 1971; Elmendorf Rescue Coordination Center, 1 Jul 1971-24 Jun 1972; Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Center 25 Jun 1972-30 Jun 1991); 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery (later 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance) Wing, 1 Jul 1974; Air Rescue Service, 1 Aug 1989-30 Jun 1991. Air Rescue Service, 1 Oct 1991; 1st Operations Group, 1 Feb1993; 1st Rescue Group, 14Jun 1995-.

Stations

Elmendorf AFB, AK, 14 Nov 1952-l8 Mar1960. Elmendorf APB, AK, 8 Mar 1970-30 Jun 1991. Patrick AFB, FL, 1 Oct1991-.

Aircraft

SA-16, 1952-1960; H-5, l954-1955; C-54, 1954-1955; SH-19, 1954-l956; SC-54, 1955-1958; SH-21, 1956-1960. HC-130, 1970-1987; HH-3, 1975 -1991; CH-3, I976-1979, 1981-1990. HC-130, 1991-.

Operations

Search, rescue and recovery in Alaska, 1952-1960 and 1970-1991. Aerial refueling for search and rescue, 1991-. Supported the combat search and rescue mission in Southwest Asia with aircraft and crews, 1992-.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 7-20 May 1956; 1 Jul 1972-30 Jun 1974; 1 Jul 1974-31 May 1975; 1 Sep 1975-1 May1977; 16 Jul 1977-16 Jul 1979; l7 Jun 1979-15 Jun1981; 1 Apr1984-31 Mar 1986; 1 Apr1987-31 Mar 1988; 1 Feb 1993-30 Apr 1994.

Emblem

Celeste gridlined as a globe Argent axis bendwise. the cypher K Or shaded Argent bearing in dexter chief a crown of the second lined Cults turned Azure; all within a diminished bordure Yellow. Approved on 8 Jun 1995, replaced emblem approved on 15 Jun 1956 (negative number not available).