THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LOCAL BASE RESCUE (LBR)
A survey, compiled by Johan Ragay, based on USAF documents filed in the AFHRA, Maxwell AFB, AL



                  period  1961-1970   :    AIR   RESCUE   SERVICE      /   (08 Jan 1966)   AEROSPACE   RESCUE   &   RECOVERY   SERVICE

WESTERN      Air Rescue Center / Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Center Hamilton AFB, CA
CENTRAL      Air Rescue Center / Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Center Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO
EASTERN      Air Rescue Center / Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Center Robins AFB, GA


                  period  1970-1973   (H-43)   :    39th  Aerospace  Rescue  &  Recovery  Wing

42nd    Aerospace  Rescue &  Recovery  Squadron       (42 ARRS) Hamilton AFB, CA
43rd     Aerospace Rescue  &  Recovery  Squadron       (43 ARRS) Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO
44th     Aerospace  Rescue  &  Recovery  Squadron      (44 ARRS) Robins AFB, GA / Eglin AFB, FL




              Local Base Rescue (LBR) was accomplished by Air Rescue Service (ARS) in 1961.
              Air Rescue Service was assigned LBR and the National SAR Plan in December 1960.
              The implementing plan specified the transfer date of the Inland SAR function to ARS from CONAC as 1 FEB 1961.
              MATS Special Order G-52 dated 18 May 1961 : The Air Rescue Service detachments are designated and organized
              at locations , effective 1 October 1961.

               On 16 February 1961 the CONAC RCC's at Robins AFB, GA ; Hensley NAS, Dallas, TX and Hamilton AFB, CA
               were renamed EASTERN, CENTRAL and WESTERN Air Rescue Center, respectively.
               The RCC's at Mitchel AFB, NY and Selfridge AFB, MI were discontrinued on the same date.

               The LBR function was to be transferred from individual commands to ARS as soon as possible, but not later than
                01 October 1961.
               A maximum of 66 LBR detachments, worldwide, operating 132 UE aircraft - approximately  96   H-43B, ten  H-21 and
               26   H-19  plus  12  command support aircraft - was originally planned, but there were indications that the ultimate
               f
orce would be larger.

               As of 01 Feb 1964 the organization of LBR   DETs was changed ; for each of the Air Rescue Centers
               the DET numbers started with #1.

                As of 08 Jan 1966 the organizations were renamed from MATS to MAC ; from ARC  (Air Rescue Center) to
               ARRC  (Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Center).

               The 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (MAC) was activated on 01 Jan 1970 with headquarters located at
               Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri. The Wing functions under the command of Headqaurters ARRS (MAC), Scott AFB, IL. 
               The period 01 Jan 1970 to 01 Apr 1970 was an organizational period with the Wing having neither command nor control
               over subordinate units.

               On 01 Apr 1970 the Wing assumed control of the following Local Base Rescue (LBR) Squadrons :
                          42nd ARRSq Hamilton AFB, CA;
                          43rd ARRSq Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO;
                          44th ARRSq Robins AFB, GA.

               The 39th ARRW moved to Eglin AFB, FL in June 1971.


               
               As a result of FY72 studies by USAF, the 39 ARRW force composition is now starting to change.
               Reductions in the size of forces and a mission more oriented toward combat SAR.
               T
wenty-five of the 39 ARRWg 's thirty-three detachments are being deactivated.
               By Dec 1972 the authorized number of HH-43F was still 60.
               The reduced manning was effective by 30 June 73.
               The major changes have been the retirement of the HH-43 and replacing them with the HH-1H.

                (source : AFHRA Document  dated 31 December 1972)

 

               Last CONUS units to fly the HH-43F were :

DET.6 ,  42 ARRS   Holloman AFB, NM    until    August 1973
DET.22, 42 ARRS Mountain Home AFB, ID   until    August 1973
DET.18 , 44 ARRS   Plattsburgh AFB, NY   until    September 1973

 

               Final operational flight of a USAF Huskie was made on 20 September 1975 by  HH-43F  64-17559 assigned to DET.5 ,
               40 ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.
               DET.5 was deactivated on 30 September 1975 , according to this Udorn RTAFB  "EASY FLYER", dated 12 September 1975
               (received from  Mr. George J Kuerner  SMSgt Ret. and H-43 crewchief at that time) :


               

 

               last update  13/12/2007