The Kaman HH-43 Huskie in the PACAF  Region
A survey, compiled by Johan Ragay, based on USAF documents filed in the AFHRA, Maxwell AFB, AL

 

                                           
              PACAF  BASED  HH-43         1963-1975

The following overview is devided into blocks representing the different organization structures over the years 1963 thru 1975.
For each period a separation is made for those organizations based in SouthVietnam  or Thailand (blocks with green bar)
and for those based elsewhere in the PACAF region (blocks with grey bar)

1.   Period       JUN 1963  -  01 JUL 1965

2.   Period  01 JUL 1965  -  08 JAN 1966              Activation of  38 ARS

3.   Period  08 JAN 1966  -  08 FEB 1969              Activation of  3 ARRG

4.   Period  08 FEB 1969  -  01 JUL 1971               Activation of  41 ARRW

5.   Period  01 JUL 1971  -   20 AUG 1972             Deactivation of  38 ARRS
      Period  01 JUL 1971  -   1974                            For PACAF units

6.   Period  20 AUG 1972 -   1975                           Deactivation of  3 ARRG

 


FIRST   PERIOD

 

              assigned to MATS under ARS (Air Rescue Service) :

HH-43 assigned units  PACAF   : period JUN 1963 - 01 JUL 1965                                                                Click for details
31 ARS Clark AB, Philippines -
33 ARS Naha AB, Okinawa  -
36 ARS  Tachikawa AB, Japan  -
36 ARS, DET.1  Misawa AB, Japan  became PARC, DET.7 on 25 JUL 65
36 ARS, DET.2  Yokota AB, Japan  became PARC, DET.8 on 25 JUL 65
36 ARS, DET.4  Osan AB, Korea  became PARC, DET.9 on 25 JUL 65
PARC, DET.3 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN no aircraft assigned ; deactiv. 01 JUL 65
               as of 01 JAN 64  :   4  HH-43B
               as of 30 SEP 64   : 14  HH-43B
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 1964 - 01 JUL 1965                                                                                        Click for details
TDY 33 ARS Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand  arrived 20 JUN 64 
formed PARC, DET.Prov.3 on 01 SEP 64

See below   (this table)

TDY 36 ARS, DET.4 Takhli AB, Thailand arrived AUG 64
TDY CARC, DET.1 Bien Hoa AB, RVN formed PARC, DET.Prov.1 on 01 SEP 64

See below  (this table)

TDY WARC, DET.4 Bien Hoa AB, RVN arrived 08 AUG 64 
formed PARC, DET.Prov.1 on 01 SEP 64

See below   (this table)

TDY WARC, DET.5 Bien Hoa AB, RVN formed PARC, DET.Prov.1 on 01 SEP 64

See below   (this table)

TDY CARC, DET.2 Da Nang AB, RVN arrived 10 AUG 64
formed PARC, DET.Prov.2 on 01 SEP 64

See below  (this table)

TDY EARC, DET.10 Korat AB, Thailand arrived 07 AUG 64
formed PARC, DET.Prov.4 on 01 SEP 64

See below   (this table)

TDY CARC, DET.3

TDY CARC, DET.7

Ubon AB, Thailand departed or arrived 9 APR 65 
formed PARC, DET.Prov.3 on 14 APR 65
TDY WARC, DET.9 Kung Kuan AB, CHNRE departed or arrived 27 APR 65 
formed PARC, DET.Prov.6
TDY EARC, DET.3 Udorn AB, Thailand departed or arrived 28 APR 65 
formed PARC, DET.Prov.5
PARC, DET.Prov.1 Bien Hoa AB, RVN

Takhli AB, Thailand

Activ. 01 SEP 64 ;         10 NOV 64 to Takhli AB
PARC, DET.Prov.2  Da Nang AB, RVN

Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand

Activ. 01 SEP 64 ;         10 NOV 64 to NKP
PARC, DET.Prov.3 Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand
 

Ubon AB, Thailand 

Activ. 01 SEP 64 ;          Deactiv. 16 NOV 64 ; 
 

Activ. 14 APR 65 

PARC, DET.Prov.4 Korat AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 SEP 64
PARC, DET.Prov.5 Udorn AB, Thailand  Activ. 03 MAY 65
PARC, DET.Prov.6 Kung Kuan AB, CHNRE Activ. MAY 65
PARC, DET.4 Bien Hoa AB, RVN Activ. 20 OCT 64
PARC, DET.5 Da Nang AB, RVN Activ. 20 OCT 64

 

SECOND   PERIOD
 
 
 

HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 01 JUL 1965 - 08 JAN 1966                                                  Click for details
PARC, 38 ARS Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Activ. 01 JUL65
TDY CARC, DET.5
K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI

TDY EARC, DET.16
Homestead AFB, FL

Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN  arrived 16 AUG 65 with personnel
and 
 3 HH-43B

Two HH-43B to Cam Ranh Bay AB
  10 OCT 65

PARC, 38 ARS, DET.1 Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.2  Takhli AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.3  Ubon AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.4  Korat AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.5  Udorn AB, Thailand  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.6  Bien Hoa AB, RVN  Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.7  Da Nang AB, RVN Activ. 01 JUL65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.9 Pleiku AB, RVN  Activ. 01 OCT65
HH-43F delivered 24 NOV 65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.10 Binh Thuy AB, RVN  Activ. 01 OCT65
PARC, 38 ARS, DET.Prov.1 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN Activ. 10 OCT65 - Deactiv. 15 JAN66
Replaced by 38 ARRS, DET.8
- - -
TDY WARC, DET.2
Cannon AFB, NM
?? Sent TDY on 7 OCT 65
further details unknown
TDY of personnel from various DETs from CARC ?? 120 days TDY started 12 NOV 65
               as of 01 JUL 65 :   13   HH-43B ;  5   HH-43F
 
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 01 JUL 1965 - 08 JAN 1966                                                               Click for details
PARC, DET.6 Kung Kuan AB, CHNRE Activ. 01 JUL65
Discontinued on 21 JUL 65
HH-43B to Udorn AB    6 JUL 65
PARC, DET.6 Naha AB, Okinawa Activ. 10 NOV65
PARC, DET.7 Misawa AB, Japan  Activ. 25 JUL65
PARC, DET.8  Yokota AB, Japan  Activ. 25 JUL65
PARC, DET.9 Osan AB, Korea Activ. 25 JUL65
               as of 01 JUL 65 :  12   HH-43B
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 01 JUL 1965 - 08 JAN 66                                                                Click for details
MATS, ARS, 31 ARS Clark AB, Philippines 
               as of 01 JUL 65 :  3   HH-43B
 
 
 

THIRD   PERIOD
 
 

HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 08 JAN 1966 - 08 FEB 1969                                                                        Click for details
PARRC Hickam AB, HI -
PARRC, 3 ARRG Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Activ. 08 JAN66
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, LBR Flight Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Until JAN68 as "LBR-Flight", thereafter DET.14
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.1 Phan Rang AB, RVN PCS from NKP to Phan Rang 15 JAN66
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.2  Takhli AB, Thailand  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.3  Ubon AB, Thailand  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.4  Korat AB, Thailand  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.5  Udorn AB, Thailand  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.6  Bien Hoa AB, RVN  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.7  Da Nang AB, RVN -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.8 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.9 Pleiku AB, RVN  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.10 Binh Thuy AB, RVN  -
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.11 Tuy Hoa AB, RVN Activ. 18 JAN66, Operational 15 NOV66
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.12 Nha Trang AB, RVN Activ. 08 APR 66
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.13 Phu Cat AB, RVN Activ. 23 APR67
PARRC, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.14 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN as early as JAN68
TDY CARRC, DET.2 Minot AFB, ND ?? Sent TDY on 10 MAY 66 to unknown AirBase
               as of  08 JAN 66 :   17   HH-43B ;   11   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 67 :   18   HH-43B ;   10   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 68 :   24   HH-43B ;     8   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 69 :   25   HH-43B ;     7   HH-43F
 
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 08 JAN 1966 - 08 FEB 69                                                                Click for details
MAC, PARRC, DET.4 Taegu AB, Korea Activ. 08 AUG 68   (former 1646 Prov Sqn, DET.Prov.2)
MAC, PARRC, DET.5 Suwon AB, Korea Activ. 08 AUG 68   (former 1646 Prov Sqn, DET.Prov.3)
MAC, PARRC, DET.6 Kadena AB, Okinawa HH-43B arrived here as of 21 JAN 66
MAC, PARRC, DET.7 Misawa AB, Japan  -
MAC, PARRC, DET.8  Yokota AB, Japan  -
MAC, PARRC, DET.9 Osan AB, Korea -
MAC, PARRC, DET.10 Kwang Ju AB, Korea Activ. 08 AUG 68   (former 1646 Prov Sqn, DET.Prov.4)
MAC, PARRC, DET.11 Kunsan AB, Korea Activ. 08 AUG 68   (former 1646 Prov Sqn, DET.Prov.1)
MAC, PARRC, 
1646 Provisional Squadron, DET.Prov.1
Kunsan AB, Korea Activ. FEB 68

Became MAC, PARRC, DET.11 on 08 AUG 68

MAC, PARRC, 
1646 Provisional Squadron, DET.Prov.2
Taegu AB, Korea Activ. FEB 68

Became MAC, PARRC, DET.4 on 08 AUG 68

MAC, PARRC, 
1646 Provisional Squadron, DET.Prov.3
Suwon AB, Korea Activ. FEB 68

Became MAC, PARRC, DET.5 on 08 AUG 68

MAC, PARRC, 
1646 Provisional Squadron, DET.Prov.4
Kwang Ju AB, Korea Activ. FEB 68

Became MAC, PARRC, DET.10 on 08 AUG 68

               as of  08 JAN 66 :   10   HH-43B
               as of  01 JAN 67 :     9   HH-43B
               as of  01 JAN 68 :     9   HH-43B
               as of  01 JAN 69 :   17   HH-43B
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 08 JAN 1966 - 08 FEB 69                                                               Click for details
MAC, ARRS, 31 ARRS

As of 08 APR 67 assigned as 
MAC, PARRC, 31 ARRS

Clark AB, Philippines
               as of  08 JAN 66 :   3   HH-43B
               as of  01 JAN 67 :   2   HH-43B
               as of  01 JAN 68 :   2   HH-43B
 
 

 FORTH   PERIOD
 

HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 08 FEB 1969 - 01 JUL 1971                                                                         Click for details
41 ARRW Hickam AB, HI Activ. 08 FEB69
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Deactiv. 01 JUL71
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.1 Phan Rang AB, RVN -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.2  Takhli AB, Thailand  Deactiv. 15 NOV70
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.3  Ubon AB, Thailand  -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.4  Korat AB, Thailand  -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.5  Udorn AB, Thailand  -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.6  Bien Hoa AB, RVN  -
41ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.7  Da Nang AB, RVN -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.8 Cam Ranh Bay AB, RVN Deactiv. 15 SEP70
(source : PJ Website)
41ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.9 Pleiku AB, RVN 

Nakhon Phanom AB, Thaild 

until 16 FEB70, then relocated at NKP
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.10 Binh Thuy AB, RVN  Deactiv. DEC69
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.11 Tuy Hoa AB, RVN Deactiv. 15 OCT70 
(source : PJ Website)
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.12 Nha Trang AB, RVN

U Tapao AB, Thailand

until 28 FEB69, then relocated at 
U Tapao AB
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.13 Phu Cat AB, RVN -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, 38 ARRS, DET.14 Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN -
               as of  01 JAN 69 :   25 HH-43B ;   7   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 70 :   22 HH-43B ;   6   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 71 :   15 HH-43B ;   6   HH-43F
 
 
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 08 FEB 1969 -  01 JUN 70                                                                    Click for details
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.4 Taegu AB, Korea to 47 ARRS on  01 JUN70

DET.4 was already in caretaker status since APR70
and was deactivated on 30 SEP70  

MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.5 Suwon AB, Korea FEB69 the HH-43B were transferred to DET.9 at Osan AB

 DET.5 was deactivated , date unknown

MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.6 Kadena AB, Okinawa to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.7 Misawa AB, Japan  to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.8  Yokota AB, Japan  to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.9 Osan AB, Korea to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.10 Kwang Ju AB, Korea to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.11 Kunsan AB, Korea to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70
MAC, 41 ARRW, DET.12 Andersen AFB, Guam activated 15 SEP  1969

to 47 ARRS on 01 JUN70

               as of  01 JAN 69 :  17   HH-43B                                                                                                         update 16/02/2002
               as of  01 JAN 70 :  19   HH-43B
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 08 FEB 1969 -  01 JUN 70                         Click for details 
MAC, 41 ARRW, 31 ARRS Clark AB, Philippines to 47 ARRS, DET.5 on 01 JUN70
               as of  01 JAN 69 :   2   HH-43B                                                                                                         update 16/02/2002
               as of  01 JAN 70 :   2   HH-43B
 
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 01 JUN 1970 -  01 JUL 71                                         Click for details
MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.4 Taegu AB, Korea Activ. 01 JUN 70 

deactivated 30 SEP 70

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.5 Clark AB, Philippines Activ. 01 JUN 70  (ex 31 ARRS)

to 31 ARRS on 01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.6 Kadena AB, Okinawa Activ. 01 JUN 70 

to 33 ARRS on 01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.7 Misawa AB, Japan  Activ. 01 JUN 70  

deactivated  on  01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.8 Yokota AB, Japan  Activ. 01 JUN 70


deactivated  on  01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.9  Osan AB, Korea Activ. 01 JUN 70

In Jan 71 DET.9 was released from their
requirement to maintain alert at Suwon AB

to 33 ARRS, DET.1  on 01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.10  Kwang Ju AB, Korea Activ. 01 JUN 70  
deactivated by  15 APR 71
MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.11 Kunsan AB, Korea Activ. 01 JUN 70 

to 33 ARRS, DET.2  on 01 JUL 71

MAC, 41 ARRW, 47 ARRS, DET.12 Andersen AFB, Guam Activ. 01 JUN 70 

 to 79 ARRS  on  01 JUL 71

               as of  01 JAN 71 :  18   HH-43B                                                                                                         update 16/02/2002
 
 
 
 

 FIFTH   PERIOD
 

             The situation after deactivation of the 38 ARRS on 01 JULY 1971 :

HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 01 JUL 1971 - 20 AUG 1972                                                                        Click for details
41 ARRW Hickam AB, HI -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Deactiv. 20 AUG 1972
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.1 Phan Rang AB, RVN Deactiv. 31 JAN72
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.3 Ubon AB, Thailand  -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.4

41 ARRW, 56 ARRS

Korat AB, Thailand  Deactiv. 08 JUL72 ; a/c to 56 ARRS (activ. 08 JUL72)
(source: PJ Website)
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.5  Udorn AB, Thailand  -
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.6 Bien Hoa AB, RVN  Deactiv. 15 DEC71

The LBR task here was taken over by DET.14 as a TDY element

41ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.7 

41 ARRW, 37 ARRS 

Da Nang AB, RVN DET.7 was consolidated with the 37 ARRS on 21 AUG71 : 

HH-43F to "Pedro Division", 37 ARRS

41ARRW, 3 ARRG, DET.9 

41 ARRW, 40 ARRS

Nakhon Phanom AB, Thaild DET.9 was consolidated with the 40 ARRS on 10 SEP71 ; 

HH-43B to 40 ARRS

41 ARRW, 3 ARRG,  DET.12  U Tapao AB, Thailand
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG,  DET.13  Phu Cat AB, RVN Deactiv. 10 NOV71
41 ARRW, 3 ARRG,  DET.14  Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN Until  15 SEP 72
TDY 43 ARRS, DET.8
Bergstrom AFB, TX
Takhli AB, Thailand TDY started on 6 MAY72 as "Operation Constant Guard III" 
(source Ralph Reed Webpage), until ? ; became 

40 ARRS, DET.10, date ??

               as of  01 JAN 72 :  19   HH-43F   (all HH-43B modified to HH-43F during 1971)
 
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 01 JUL 1971 - 1974                                                   Click for details
MAC, 41 ARRW, 33 ARRS Kadena AB, Okinawa Reassigned from 47 ARRS, DET.6 on 01 JUL 71
MAC, 41 ARRW, 33 ARRS,
DET.1
Osan AB, Korea Reassigned from 47 ARRS, DET.9 on 01 JUL 71
MAC, 41 ARRW, 33 ARRS, 
DET.2
Kunsan AB, Korea Reassigned from 47 ARRS, DET.11 on 01 JUL 71
              as of  01 JAN 72 :  6   HH-43F                                                                                                           update 16/02/2002
 
 
 
HH-43 assigned units elsewhere : period 01 JUL 1971 - 1974                                                                            Click for details
MAC, 41 ARRW, 31 ARRS Clark AB, Philippines Reassigned from 47 ARRS, DET.5 on 01 JUL 71

The 31 ARRS ceased flying HH-43 after NOV72

MAC, 41 ARRW, 79 ARRS Andersen AFB, Guam Reassigned from 47 ARRS, DET.12 on 01 JUL 71
               as of  01 JAN 72 :  4   HH-43F                                                                                                          update 16/02/2002
               as of  01 JAN 73 :  6   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 74 :  2   HH-43F
 
 

SIXTH   PERIOD


 

HH-43 assigned units SEA : period 20 AUG 1972 - 1975                                                                                        Click for details
41 ARRW Hickam AB, HI -
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, DET.3  Ubon AB, Thailand  Deactiv. AUG 1974
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, DET.5  Udorn AB, Thailand  Deactiv.  30 SEP 1975
HH-43F 64-17559 flew the last Huskie flight in SEA
(and probably also the last flight for a  USAF HH-43F)
from Udorn AB on 20 September 1975 *)
41 ARRW, 37 ARRS Da Nang AB, RVN Only during short period from    21 AUG72 until 29 NOV72 ; 

a/c to 40 ARRS, DET.7 :

41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, DET.7  Da Nang AB, RVN Activ. 29 NOV72 - Deactiv. FEB 1973
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, LBR Flight Nakhon Phanom AB,Thaild  HH43 operation until FEB 1975 
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, DET.10  Takhli AB, Thailand Activ. ??/1972 - Deactiv. JUL 1974
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS, DET.12 U Tapao AB, Thailand HH43 operation until AUG 1975 
41 ARRW, 40 ARRS

 

Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN

TDY at Bien Hoa AB, RVN

Former 3 ARRG, DET.14 was reassigned to 40 ARRS on 
15 SEP 1972 (but no DET number given - source PJ Website)

HH43 operation until FEB 1973

41 ARRW, 56 ARRS  Korat AB, Thailand  HH43 operation until FEB 1975
               as of  01 JAN 73 :  19   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 74 :  12   HH-43F
               as of  01 JAN 75 :    8   HH-43F
               
            *)  This information was provided in Jan 2006  by  Lt.Col. Fredrik M. Bergold  (USAF, Ret.) ,
                      who was the pilot in this last Pedro flight.  
                    
Thanking  Mr. Marek, editor of  www.talkingproud.us  and  
                     Mr.  Stephen P. Mock, MSgt, USAF (Ret.) editor of  Pedro News
.
 
 

 

         JUSTIFICATION :

               The individual aircraft histories presented in this SEA Unit Review were gained from the USAF Individual Aircraft History
               Records which can be found in the Air Force History Research Agency (AFHRA) at Maxwell AFB, AL.

               In most cases mutations from one unit to the other were administrated correctly, but sometimes there are gabs and sometimes
               other sources (documents found in the AFHRA files) gave different reassignment dates.

               The research into these individual aircraft records and the arrangement into tables and reviews was done by Johan Ragay.

                I like to thank Mr. Robert L. LaPointe (website : PJ's in Vietnam) for using some of the unit activation/deactivation data,
                published on his webpages under the tab " Outline".
 
 

 

                  update 31/12/2007