The 71st Air Rescue Squadron, established on October 17, 1952, emerged following the reassignment of all Flights associated with Air Rescue Groups by the Air Rescue Service, elevating them to Squadron status. Inheriting personnel and equipment from A Flight of the 10th Air Rescue Group, the 71st was activated on November 14, 1952, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It was assigned to the 10th Air Rescue Group, conducting operations with the Grumman SA-16 Albatross.
In 1954, the Squadron acquired the H-5 Dragonfly, SC-54 Skymaster, and the SH-19 Chickasaw. The H-5 helicopters were gradually retired in 1955, and the SH-19s were subsequently replaced by the SH-21 Workhorse.
On October 21, 1957, the Squadron was assigned to the Air Rescue Service. However, it was later discontinued and inactivated on March 18, 1960.
Following its redesignation on November 25, 1969, as the 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, it was subsequently activated on March 8, 1970, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
The Squadron was initially assigned to the 39th ARRW and attached to Detachment 1, 39th ARRW until June 30, 1971. Subsequently, it was linked to the Elmendorf Rescue Coordination Centre until June 24, 1972, and later to the Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Centre. Operating from Elmendorf, it utilized the Lockheed HC-130 Hercules until 1987.
On July 1, 1974, the Squadron was reassigned to the 41st ARRW, later transformed into the 41st RWRW. It remained attached to the Alaskan Air Command Rescue Coordination Centre. In 1975, the Squadron incorporated the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant into its fleet.
Two HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters from the 71st ARRS fly a simulated aeromedical evacuation mission over Alaska, during exercise "Brim Frost '87". This was a Joint Force-Alaska exercise that incorporated units of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The Units, commanded by Lt. Gen. David L. Nichols, commander, Alaskan Air Command, dispersed throughout the state to defend key sites against enemy attack. (USAF Photo/Sgt. Gregory A. Suhay)
Prinsendam Rescue & The Mackay Trophy
The M.S. Prinsendam, a luxury Dutch cruise ship, embarked from Vancouver, Canada, on September 30 with 519 individuals bound for Singapore. After touring Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, a fire broke out in the engine room around midnight on October 4, while cruising in the Gulf of Alaska. The captain sought help, prompting passengers to evacuate into lifeboats. The Coast Guard, with three cutters and HH-3 and HC-130 aircraft, coordinated rescue efforts, involving Canadian military forces and Elmendorf AFB's Alaskan Air Command. The 71st ARRS from Elmendorf dispatched an HH-3 helicopter and an HC-130 airplane to the disaster site on the morning of October 4.
The Jolly Green Giant helicopter, crewed by Capt. John J. Walters (P), Capt. William T. Gillen (CP), SSgt. Michael J. Engels (FE), SSgt. John F. Cassidy (PJ), and Sgt. Joseph M. Rios (PJ), collected 169 blankets from Yakutat, Alaska, and delivered them to the Williamsburgh. The HH–3 embarked on a sequence of flights, transferring passengers from lifeboats to the super tanker. Assisted by two pararescuemen, the helicopter safely lifted 61 passengers and crewmen to secure locations.
SSgt. John F. Cassidy and Sgt. Joseph M. Rios, both pararescuemen, bravely jumped from the HH-3E and assisted in hoisting survivors from lifeboats to the helicopter. In a show of gratitude, survivor Herr Emil Russ expressed his thanks by sending a $1,000 check to the 71st ARRS. A substitute check was subsequently contributed to the Jolly Green Scholarship Fund.
A USCG HH-3F Pelican flies over the listing M.S. Prinsendam on October 4. (USCG Photo)
Amidst the crisis, the 71st ARRS's HC–130 transported a flight surgeon and two pararescuemen from Elmendorf AFB to Yakutat. From there, Coast Guard helicopters transferred them to the disaster site, where they refueled the Air Force HH–3 helicopter and aided in locating lifeboats. The HC–130 played a crucial role in guiding a Canadian rescue helicopter, afflicted with an instrument panel fire, to Yakutat, saving an additional 13 lives. The two 71st ARRS crews successfully rescued 74 individuals.
The collaborative efforts of 93 USAF, Coast Guard, Canadian, and civilian vessels saved all 519 individuals aboard the fire-ravaged Prinsendam. The 144th TAS from Kulis ANG Base, Alaska, employed a C–130 to transport relief supplies to Valdez, where survivors were carried by the Williamsburgh and other rescue ships. Additionally, an Alaskan Air Command C–12 and a 17th TAS C–130 from Elmendorf provided logistical support. Despite ongoing efforts, the empty Prinsendam continued to burn in the Gulf of Alaska and eventually sank in 8,830 feet of water on October 11.
Captain John J. Walters from the 71st was honoured in 1981 with the Mackay Trophy for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as HH-3 Helicopter Commander in the rescue of 61, in adverse conditions, from the burning cruise ship Prinsendam." Additionally, Captain Walters and Pararescue Specialists SSgt. John Cassidy and Sgt. Jose Rios were bestowed with the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of their exceptional contributions during the rescue mission.
The crew of Air Force Rescue 802.
The Squadron was redesignated as the 71st Air Rescue Squadron on June 1, 1989, and reassigned to the Air Rescue Service on August 1, 1989. Subsequently, it was inactivated on June 1, 1991.
One of a pair of Squadron HH-3E's flies past Edmonton enroute to AMARC at Davis-Monthan to retire. (USAF Photo/Russ Pollanen)
The Squadron was reactivated on October 1, 1991, at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, it was initially assigned to the Air Rescue Service, operating the HC-130 Hercules. On February 1, 1993, it was redesignated as the 71st Rescue Squadron and reassigned to the 1st Operations Group.
By June 14, 1995, it became part of the 1st Rescue Group and later, on April 1, 1997, it relocated to Moody AFB, Georgia, this time being assigned to the 347th Rescue Group.
In September 2022, the Squadron received the new HC-130J, marking the beginning of the replacement process for their older HC-130s.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 41st RQS approaches an HC-130J Combat King II from the 71st RQS to conduct aerial refuelling during Col. Thomas Kunkel’s, 23rd Wing commander, fini-flight, June 27, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The 71st RQS was presented the That Others May Live Foundation’s 2017 Rescue Squadron of the Year Award, Oct. 21, in Melbourne, Fla., for demonstrating rescue excellence from July 2016 to June 2017. (USAF Photo/SSgt. Ryan Callaghan)
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