USAF / 66th RQS / Full Squadron History / Jolly Green Giant

HAEC AGO UT ALII VIVANT

“THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE"

The 66th previously served as A Flight of the 9th Air Rescue Group at RAF Manston in the UK. It was established as the 66th Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952, inheriting A Flight's aircraft and personnel upon activation on 14 November 1952. Operating SA-16's, H-19's, and briefly C-82's, it was initially under the operational control of USAFE. It was later reassigned to the Third Air Force on 15 November 1953, and subsequently to USAFE on 1 August 1954. During its time in the UK, the squadron undertook search and rescue, air/medical evacuation, and disaster relief operations.

South Goodwin Lighthouse Rescue

During the intense storm on the night of November 26 and 27, 1954, the South Goodwin Lightship's anchor chains gave way amid a hurricane-force 12 storm between midnight and 0100 hours. Onshore, the Ramsgate and Deal coastguards expressed concern, yet poor visibility hindered their efforts. At approximately 0115 hours, the East Goodwin Light Vessel witnessed its companion ship being swept past, six miles north of the station, leading to a horrifying spectacle. As the crew had gathered in the galley, the lightship subsequently collided with the treacherous Goodwin Sands, tilting onto its starboard side, leaving the trapped crew under the galley door submerged in water.

A Squadron SH-19 sits on the sandbar dropping off gas bottles for the rescue crew to cut into the hull searching for survivors. None were found.

Tragically, seven lives were lost in the incident. However, thanks to the heroic efforts of Ronald Murton, who managed to manoeuvre through a skylight, and the swift response of a USAF SH-19 rescue helicopter from the 66th Air Rescue Squadron, one life was saved. Despite the challenges faced by the lifeboats from Dover and Ramsgate, which were unable to approach the distressed ship, the helicopter crew performed a daring second mission at 0900 hours, successfully retrieving Murton from the hull. Their courageous actions were duly recognized with bravery awards, as the pilot skilfully maneuvered the helicopter to a mere 30 feet above the wreckage, navigating through the debris and sea spray.

The SH-19 crew that took part in the rescue. Left to right. Curtis E. Parkins, Maj Paul Park, Capt. Willis Kusey, A1C Elmor Volam & Capt. Harold Welch.

The RNLI awarded a silver medal to Capt. Curtis Parkins, the first ever medal awarded to an airman. It was also the first service given by a helicopter when lifeboats, although present were unable to render the necessary help.

The relentless extreme weather persisted for another day, delaying the arrival of divers until November 28. Regrettably, despite their efforts, no trace of the remaining crew was discovered. Subsequently, the Squadron was deactivated from Manston on January 18, 1958.

The City that Never Sleeps

The Squadron was activated as the 66th Air Rescue Squadron on January 1, 1991, stationed at Nellis AFB in the expansive Nevada range complex, adjacent to the renowned gaming hub, Las Vegas. Notably, there exists an intriguing narrative surrounding the reasons behind the reactivation of the 66th, as highlighted in a soundbite from Gary Copsey dating back to 1988.

"I worked in MAC XPPP and my role was to build out a basing plan that included unit designations. Of course, some were just converting from

HH-3s. But new units needed a number. A small group of us were discussing it, and we thought "Vegas? Wouldn't a sqn patch with box car dice

(6-6) be cool!" We then researched and discovered 66th had a history, so it was an easy sell. Then I saw the patch for the first time and thought "what is that? Why didn't they take advantage of using dice?"

Gary Copsey.

It was assigned to the Air Rescue Service & operated the HH-60G which was active in the USAF that could perform the SAR & CSAR role & had replaced the HH-3 & HH-53's which had been converted to MH-53J's for AFSOC.

The entrance to the Squadron complex at Nellis AFB
The wall of a meeting room in the 66th RQS building.	Welcome to Las Vegas!

In January 1993, the 66th experienced significant changes, with its deployment to Kuwait City, Kuwait, on January 25. During this period, the squadron was temporarily affiliated with the 4404th Operations Group [Provisional] in Southwest Asia, tasked with monitoring and enforcing Iraq's adherence to United Nations treaty stipulations.

This patch is made between the activation in Jan 1991 until it was redesignated as the 66th Rescue Squadron in Feb 1993.

The Squadron was redesignated as the 66th Rescue Squadron on February 1, 1993, with reassignment to the 57th Operations Group at Nellis, operational activities in Kuwait persisted beyond the documented end date of July 5, 1993. Accounts from former crew members suggest that operations extended well into subsequent years, with deployments in Kuwait ongoing through 1996. The squadron's base of operations shifted to Camp Doha in 1996, and later to Al Jabar in 1999. Additionally, deployments took place in Turkey for Operations Southern and Northern Watch, as well as Desert Fox, continuing until the turn of 1999/2000.

A HH-60G being delivered to Kuwait in the 1990's. The low height of the Pavehawk makes transporting the helicopter easier to theatres across the globe. The main & tail rotors fold, making the preparation of the Pavehawks to fly really quick as apposed to the older HH-3's where the rotors had to be removed. (USAF Photo/SRA Richard Kaminsky)

First CSAR since Vietnam

Following the events of September 11, 2001, various squadrons across the USAF were deployed to South Central Asia to provide support for Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF). The 66th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (66th ERQS) was deployed in December 2001, and it took nearly a month and a half for the forces to carry out their first combat recovery mission. On January 17, 2002, an HH-60G from the Squadron successfully retrieved an Australian Special Forces soldier who had sustained leg injuries from a landmine incident. The soldier was then transported to Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, subsequently transferred to an HC-130P, and eventually moved to Bahrain for further transloading onto a C-17. The crews and PJs (Pararescuemen) on board the HH-60G and HC-130P were credited with the first combat save by USAF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) crews since the Vietnam era.

Operation Anaconda

On March 2, 2002, members of the 66th ERQS were mobilized to support Operation Anaconda, a significant offensive targeting Taliban and al-Qaeda strongholds in the Shah-e-Kot Valley, eastern Afghanistan. Despite being initially left out of the Anaconda plan due to the operation's compartmentalization, the 66th ERQS swiftly received orders and launched two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters with a total of eight crew members and four PJs aboard. Upon arrival, they faced intense resistance from the enemy, utilizing rocket-propelled grenades, mortars, and small arms to impede the rescue efforts. Despite the onslaught, the PJs successfully evacuated the critically wounded soldiers, managing to avoid casualties. This daring rescue mission was replicated the following night, resulting in the saving of additional soldiers' lives. The exceptional valour displayed during these missions earned the aircrews and PJs two Silver Stars and 22 Distinguished Flying Crosses. These pivotal Anaconda operations underscored the pivotal role of USAF CSAR, highlighting their unique capabilities and skills, subsequently leading to their crucial involvement in Operations Enduring Freedom and success in subsequent combat operations, including those in Iraq.

Silver Star Awards
Captain Edward J. Lengel	1st Lt. Thomas J. Cahill Jr.
Both Capt. Edward J. Lengel & Lieutenant Cahill launched for a CSAR from a FARP in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, near Patkia Province, Afghanistan, from 2 March 2002 to 3 March 2002. Capt. Lengel was on GECKO 11 on alert status, leading the flight of two HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters through enemy controlled territory to retrieve wounded personnel. He coordinated with the Joint Search and Rescue Centre for critical mission information while directing the flight at less than two hundred feet above ground level with only starlight for illumination. He coordinated with the "Tactical Air Command-P" ground force element and both fighter and AC-130 close air support to ensure continuous fire for troops on the ground during helicopter ingress. His situational awareness and direction to GECKO 11 ensured both aircraft would be able to land in the mountainous landing zone at 8,500 feet above sea level. As soon as his aircraft touched down, it came under direct attack by enemy mortars, machine gun fire, and rocket-propelled grenades. His calm demeanour and decision skills under fire allowed the AC-130 to fire on targets 250 meters away. His piloting skills allowed him to take-off at maximum available power and near maximum gross weight. He led the formation on a forty-five-minute flight back through enemy territory to return critically wounded troops to surgical care. Lieutenant Cahill skill and systems knowledge were instrumental in getting the aircraft airborne in just eight minutes. His understanding of pararescue capabilities and Army medical evacuation-threat level limitations were instrumental in Air Force CSAR being assigned to prosecute the mission. Once airborne, he expertly navigated the flight through enemy-controlled mountainous terrain at fifty to two hundred feet above ground level in less than five percent equivalent moon illumination. En route, his flight took ground fire that he assessed 23mm. Upon arrival at the IP, he held his flight in an orbit less than half a mile from the landing zone coordinates he was given while he directed an AC-130 to fire on enemy mortar positions. He executed an approach to a landing zone that was incorrectly marked by the overhead AC-130. While in the zone, he was targeted by mortar fire from Al Qeada and Taliban forces. On the egress from this zone, his aircraft's rotor speed began to decay due to the high gross weight and density altitude. He flew his aircraft at 94% rotor speed for almost two minutes before he could weave his way out of the terrain. Until his aircraft gained flying speed, he continued to be under fire. If not for his uncanny skills, the aircraft's rotor speed would have continued to decay, resulting in a crash sequence. Once the correct landing zone was located, he directed his wingman into the landing zone, while his aircraft assumed an overhead defensive position. Upon departure, he led his formation back through the terrain to the refuelling point. The flight arrived with less than nine minutes of fuel onboard. While on the ground he directed a transfer of the least critical patients to his aircraft and transferred the senior Pararescueman to provide medical treatment to the litter critical patient. After refuelling, he led the flight to the forward surgical team at the hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan. His leadership as rescue mission On Scene Commander resulted in three lives saved.

In 2003, the 66th ERQS was once again summoned to assist in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), leading to their deployment to a classified location and continual advancement towards four significantly basic Forward Operating Locations (FOLs). Notably, the 66th gained distinction as the first USAF flying unit to operate at Baghdad International Airport. In recognition of their heroic efforts during missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, the 66th RQS aircrew members were awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars, and 25 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Back at Nellis, the Squadron underwent reassignment to the 563d Rescue Group on October 1, 2003.

This is taken from an early deployment where the 41st & 66th RQS crews obviously joined together.

Flying over downtown Las Vegas. Nellis is in a remote part of Nevada, with the only town nearby being Vegas. The remote location is superb for fliers as it has a huge complex of ranges where realistic operations can be played out, before crew have to do this for real. This was bore out from experience in SEA, where novice crews with no combat experience found it tough for the first missions, some unfortunately were lost. The USAF opened Red Flag exercises to give crews the experience of real live situations of flying the first combat missions without the real threat of being shot down. (USAF Photo/TSgt. Robert W. Valenca)

Despite the formidable operational demands, the 66th RQS admirably fulfilled 100% of its operational responsibilities during two significant contingencies. The pararescue team transitioned into the 58th RQS in 2002, while the maintenance squadron evolved into the 763d in 2003. Following this, the 763d deactivated on April 10, 2012, making way for the activation of the 823d Maintenance Squadron. These dedicated units consistently demonstrate their unwavering commitment, readily serving wherever needed to advance America's national interests and combat the global war on terrorism.

Furthermore, in 2015, the 66th Rescue Squadron spearheaded the establishment of the groundbreaking Global Response Force, playing a crucial role in supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

Crewmembers scramble to their Pavehawk during a simulated CSAR during a Red Flag mission at Nellis AFB. This scene was duplicated across Afghanistan & Iraq during the war in that region many times over, with real & deadly consequences for crews & the people they were going to help. (USAF Photo/A1C Brett Clashman)

The 66th was inactivated in a ceremony held at Nellis on the 1 June 2023.

U.S. Air Force Airmen case the 66th Rescue Squadron guidon during an inactivation ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 1, 2023. It is military custom to furl and case the guidon of an organization when its mission has been completed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Megan Estrada)

66th RQS Patches
A normal full colour officially designed Squadron emblem.	This is a desert subdued version of the official design, theatre made.
Air Combat Command with a couple of green feet depicting the Jolly Green Giant.	Obviously this shows that the Squadron had at least two flights.
A 66th Rescue Generation Squadron patch manufactured by Aviation Gear.	Not sure on who wears this, however, I'd suspect its the maintenance crews.
One that you could tell it belonged to the 66th unless you knew who made it. Various Squadrons use this design.	A bunch of patches were made depicting Elvis, this one from the 66th as its the only Squadron in Las Vegas. Other locations have been made.

If you have any additional information about this patch please contact me & I´ll get back to you.

Thanks👣