26th ERQS (approved 12 Jan 2016)
26 ARS (c. 1952-1956)
'CUSTODES VITAE'
'RIGHT TO LIFE'
The 26th squadron was established following the Air Rescue Service's directive for the Air Rescue Group Flights to organize squadrons in November 1952. Prior to its formation, the 26th squadron functioned as the 1st Air Rescue Group A Flight.
On November 14, 1952, the 26th squadron was activated and assigned to the 1st Air Rescue Group (attached to the Caribbean Air Command for operational control), operating from Albrook Air Force Base in the Canal Zone. This activation took place after personnel and aircraft were transferred from A Flight 1st Air Rescue Group. The squadron's primary mission involved Search and Rescue (SAR) and aeromedical evacuation operations, focusing on areas around Panama, with extensions into Central America and north-western regions of South America. Initially, the squadron utilized SA-16 and H-5 aircraft, later replaced by HH-19's and SH-19's in 1954. It was relatively short existence of four years, the squadron was inactivated on December 8, 1956.
New era
Subsequently, the squadron was renamed the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, and the Air Combat Command (ACC) gained the ability to activate or deactivate the squadron to provisional status at any point after December 12, 2002. The 26th squadron has been activated multiple times during the Global War on Terror. Its personnel and equipment are provided by deployed airmen from regular, Air National Guard, and reserve rescue units, who are dispatched from their home bases.
War on Terror
The squadron was initially activated on March 20, 2003, at Jacobabad, Pakistan, and was assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW). During its time there, it utilized HH-60G aircraft. However, the reason for its short-term presence of only six months remains unclear, as it was subsequently inactivated on September 10, 2003.
Enduring Freedom
The squadron was activated for the second time in February 2009 at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, which commenced in October 2001 and concluded in December 2014. Initially assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group (EOG) in February 2009, it later became a part of the 651st Air Expeditionary Group (AEG) on June 29, 2011. Operating within the Helmand River Valley, the 26th ERQS, equipped with no more than four HH-60G's over a span of 59 months, managed to save over 2,400 lives and provide assistance to an additional 3,000, a remarkable testament to the dedication of all the crews involved with the squadron.
"We were on day shift at Bastion on day (summer 09) 5-7 missions a day was typical…
We got alerted to a POI not far from base… we had this running race with the British MERT and it was “whoever was the fastest off, got the pick up”
We rushed, took off, grabbed the guy, dropped him off at the roll 3, hot gassed and parked. 👀 no MX in sight…. I think our total time wheels up to back in parking was like 9 mins lol MX didn’t even know we had left 😂"
(soundbite from C. Mark who was assigned to the 26th ERQS)
A HH-60 assigned to the 26th ERQS flies low level on a mission in Afghanistan.
(US National Archives photo/SSgt. James L. Harper Jr.)
During their time in Afghanistan, the squadron adopted the callsign "Pedro," which paid homage to the callsign used nearly fifty years earlier in the Southeast Asia (SEA) theatre. This callsign was employed for aircraft and missions in Afghanistan to distinguish the theatre of operation, as ongoing operations were simultaneously conducted in both Afghanistan and Iraq. All the Pavehawks involved in missions relayed their reports via SatCom to a single Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC). In Afghanistan, the Pavehawks utilized the callsign "Pedro," while in Iraq, they used the callsign "Jolly," a measure put in place to prevent any confusion at the RCC.
USAF Airman 1st Class Cris Dingle, an aircrew flight equipment specialist deployed to the 26th ERQS, inspects a nine-man flotation device on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, March 10, 2013. Dingle is responsible for flight equipment such as helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes, flotation devices, survival kits, night vision goggles, anti-G garments, aircrew eye and respiratory protective equipment and other types of AFE. Dingle is from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)
The crews of the 26th ERQS followed a 90-day rotation pattern, consisting of personnel from regular, reserve, and National Guard units. This rotation setup contributed to the diverse composition of the squadron's base, with one of the National Guard units making up this mural below.
This was taken at Camp Bastion in 2012. after the conflict the picture & board made its way to Moody AFB with the 41st RQS. (Courtesy of Ryan Clemons)
Inspiration for this had been taken from a picture taken by a Squadron serving in Vietnam so the 101st RQS & 106th MXS painted this modern day mural that was seen by all of the rotating crews.
Then......
.....and now.
Top: Original design used in Vietnam by HH-43 Huskie crews. Followed by the modern day version.(Photo's courtesy of M. John)
"Our summer rotation in 09 was pretty rough, the guys we'd replaced had it bad as well as the group that relieved us after our time-those 3 in a row made for some interesting stories. That's the time from when guys were getting 10, 11, 12 air medals on a single deployment with 3 Medevac operational platforms working simultaneously together. The bloodshed was historic. Unforgettable"
(soundbite from C. Mark who was assigned to the 26th ERQS)
After 59 months in Afghanistan the Squadron was inactivated January 1, 2014.
Continued Operations
Continued Operations
On September 1, 2015, the squadron was activated for a third time and was assigned to the 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group (ERQG), stationed somewhere in Southwest Asia. During this activation, the squadron expanded its operations to include the HC-130, enabling it to conduct medevac missions throughout the region.
This is an interesting patch from the 1st ERQG and is a gaggle patch with all of the Squadron's assigned to the 1st depicted. The 26th and 46th ERQS with the HH-60G and the 82nd ERQS and 301st EMS who operate and maintain the MC-130.
If you have any additional information about this patch or anything to add, for example, photos or stories, please contact me at
usafjollygreen@gmail.com
I will get back to you.
Thanks👣
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