Before the activation of the Squadrons, the role was handled by Air Resupply and Communications Wings/Service, serving as special operations units executing covert missions for the USAF. These units were deactivated in 1954, but the mission persisted and was assigned to four Air National Guard Squadrons: the 130th in West Virginia, the 143rd in Rhode Island, the 135th in Maryland, and the 129th in California.
On April 3, 1955, the 129th Air Resupply Squadron was activated and stationed at Hayward Municipal Airport, under the National Guard Bureau. It became part of the 129th Air Resupply Group and operated the C-46 Commando.
The 129th was designated as a "Psychological Warfare" unit, providing support for USAF unconventional warfare (guerrilla warfare), direct action (commando-type raids), strategic reconnaissance (intelligence gathering), and PSYWAR operations. With the arrival of the SA-16 in 1956, the Squadron gained versatility for sea or lake operations thanks to the amphibious Albatross. Additionally, the SA-16 implemented an early Fulton recovery system, allowing personnel to be retrieved from the ground while the aircraft was still in flight.
A HU-16 Albatross sits in the Californian sun. (USAF Photo)
On November 1, 1958, the Squadron underwent a redesignation as the 129th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) and became part of the 129th Troop Carrier Group while maintaining its existing mission. In 1963, it was reassigned to TAC, redesignated as the 129th Air Commando Squadron on July 1, 1963, and reallocated to the 129th Air Commando Group. During the same year, the Squadron retired its aging C-46 Commandos and transitioned to the U-10 and C-119 aircraft.
A C-46 Commando waits for its crew. (USAF Photo)
In 1963, the 129th actively participated in Exercise Swift Strike III, marking one of the most significant military manoeuvres since World War II. In August 1965, when extensive rioting and civil disturbances erupted in the Watts section of Los Angeles, the 129th played a crucial role by providing airlift support to state authorities. This assistance allowed for the evaluation of the situation and determination of appropriate action. Once the decision was made to activate the Guard, the Squadron airlifted over 600 personnel to the scene from various locations in Northern and Central California on a continuous, around-the-clock basis for several days. The unsettled times, marked by actual and potential disturbances disrupting both active duty and Guard installations, necessitated the readiness of the ANG to address such challenges. In response, the 129th trained to handle contingencies by developing both a Riot Control Force and a SWAT Team, unconventional roles for airmen.
The Squadron operated the U-6 for a brief period starting in 1966. On August 1, 1968, it underwent a redesignation as the 129th Special Operations Squadron and was assigned to the 129th Special Operations Group on August 8, 1968. In 1973, the aging yet versatile SA-16 aircraft were retired ahead of transitioning to MAC, leading to the Squadron's role shift to a Rescue Squadron and the challenges associated with upcoming its survival.
In February 1974, the unit faced the prospect of deactivation in mid-1975 due to a Department of Defence economy move. Led by Lt Col Albert R. Santos, who succeeded Col Koenig, the squadron refused to accept this decision passively. A campaign was launched to reverse the decision, involving members and friends who contact legislators and highlight the unit's value. By May 1974, the DOD relented, deciding to continue the unit's existence in a new mission – Aerospace Rescue and Recovery, a unique role for the Air Guard. Despite the challenges, the unit faced the Operational Readiness Inspection later that year with unwavering determination, earning a C-1 rating, the highest readiness category at the time. On May 3, 1975, the Squadron was redesignated as the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and assigned to the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group.
The Squadron conducted its first rescue mission on March 24, 1977, during a Red Flag combat exercise at Nellis AFB. One of the Jolly Green Giant saved a severely injured pilot who ejected from an 355th TFS A-7 #69-6228 after it crashed into a nearby range.
The aging aircraft were phased out and replaced by the HC-130 Hercules and HH-3 Jolly Green Giant. In 1986, during the flooding in Sonoma, Sutter, and Yuba counties in northern California, the Squadron played a vital role, saving 33 lives in just five days.
On September 1, 1988 a HH-3E #65-12781 & crew were on a two day SAR training mission with the 27th TASS. The helicopter departed George AFB at 0907hrs to participate in the first exercise scenario a survivor pick up with an OV-10 Bronco escort. The exercise was conducted in the north-western section of the 29 Palms restricted area R-2501N. One OV-10 pilot was onboard the helicopter as an observer, another playing the survivor on the ground. After the pickup the HH-3 was departing when it struck a ridge tragically killing all of the crew and passengers.
HH-3E #65-12781 Crew
Maj. Terry A. Nelson (Pilot)
Lt Col. Leslie E. Spencer (Co-pilot)
SrA. Steven E. Courtney (Flight Engineer)
SSgt. Steven E. Carlyle (Pararescue)
1st Lt. James K. Dooley (27th TASS)
1st Lt. Patrick L. Henry (27th TASS)
Reflecting the Air Force, the Squadron, along with other Rescue Squadrons, were redesignated as the 129th Air Rescue Squadron on October 1, 1989, with the Squadrons reassignment to the 129th Air Rescue Group.
In 1990, the aging HH-3 helicopters were retired, making way for their replacement, the HH-60G Pavehawk. Between 1989 and 1991, the 129th deployed to South America, contributing to the construction of hospital and school facilities.
On December 27, 1991, the squadron achieved a milestone by conducting its first operational night mission. This mission involved rescuing a crewman with significant facial and bodily injuries aboard the MV Martha Majesty, located over 400 miles southwest of San Francisco, marking the 207th successful save.
On March 15, 1992, the Squadron underwent a redesignation as the 129th Rescue Squadron and was reassigned to the 129th Rescue Group on the subsequent day. The unit relocated to Moffett Federal Airfield on July 1, 1994, and was then reassigned to the 129th Operations Group on October 1, 1995.
On April 4, 1996, an unplanned rescue marked the wing's 250th save. During a routine training mission near Moffett, HC-130 Combat Shadow aircrews diverted their course to save a Navy pilot who had ejected from his F/A-18 Hornet 30 miles off the coast of Big Sur, California. The Combat Shadow crew dropped a survival kit with essential supplies, including a life raft, medical items, food, water, and a radio. Simultaneously, Pavehawk aircrews and Pararescuemen were dispatched to the scene, successfully hoisting the pilot to safety and transporting him to Stanford Hospital.
In 2003, AFSOC underwent a major reorganization of all Air National Guard units. As a result, the HC-130s were transferred to the 130th RQS, while the 129th continued operating the Pavehawk. Additionally, the Pararescuemen (PJs) from the 129th were assigned to the newly formed 131st RQS.
While deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, the 129th achieved a significant milestone by executing the first combat save for any Air National Guard or Reserve unit. On April 15, 2003, a Pavehawk aircrew successfully rescued a severely injured Special Forces soldier from an isolated location, navigating hostile Iraqi territory and challenging night-time weather to transport him to a field hospital. This rescue marked the wing's 299th save. Throughout the 2003 deployment to Iraq, the wing demonstrated exceptional performance with zero aircraft or personnel losses, injuries, or mishaps. In total, the wing executed 15 saves, bringing the cumulative number of lives saved to 310.
In 2005, the 129th played a crucial role in saving over 230 lives in Afghanistan as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and in the Gulf of Mexico in response to Hurricane Katrina.
In July 2008, the Pavehawks received certification for water bucket operations and were involved in Operation LIGHTNING STRIKE, being temporarily assigned for firefighting during the season. Throughout 2008, the state faced nearly 2,100 wildfires, and the Pavehawk crews contributed significantly by dropping 150,000 gallons of water.
In 2008, the Squadron played a pivotal role in supporting the Counterdrug Task Force detachment, known as Team Hawk. Using Pavehawk helicopters, aircrew, pararescuemen, and maintainers, they collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to eradicate illegal narcotics and restore environmentally damaged forest lands affected by marijuana production. Operation LOCUST, the largest drug eradication operation in California's history, witnessed Team Hawk airlifting over 520,000 marijuana plants and $2.2 billion worth of drug production equipment, contributing significantly to the efforts against illicit drug activities.
On May 18, 2013, members of the 129th Rescue Wing achieved a remarkable milestone by saving their 1,000th life while deployed to the 26th ERQS at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Aircrews and pararescuemen successfully rescued an Afghan national policeman with a critical gunshot wound. The 1001st save occurred less than 24 hours later, during the early morning of May 19, when responding to a medevac request. They aided a patrolling unit where a USMC soldier had slid down a 30-foot embankment into a six-foot wide well, sustaining a broken femur, an open ankle fracture, and a separated shoulder.
On May 4, 2013, the Squadron, stationed at Moffett and deployed to Afghanistan, accomplished the remarkable feat of saving five lives during two distinct missions despite being over 7,500 miles apart. A Pavehawk, adorned with conspicuous hot-pink tail numbers for wildfire season, responded to a call to rescue a critically ill passenger from the Holland America cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, located 300 miles off the coast of southern California. Simultaneously, a deployed helicopter aircrew was summoned to rescue four distressed individuals in Afghanistan.
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