37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron, Da Nang 1968
The first USAF rescue units are deployed to Vietnam in 1964, as the aircrew losses increase. Until then, the civilian crews of the CIA-run Air America airline were in charge of rescue operations, especially over Laos. The first aircraft used in this role are HH-43B & F helicopters, as well as HU-16B seaplanes, with support from SC-54 aircraft for command & control.
HH-3E and CH-3C helicopters are introduced in 1965, along with HC-130 C&C and refueling aircraft. The last detachments in Southeast Asia are deactivated in 1974, after having rescued 3883 allied personnel.
Helicopters generally carry one pilot, one copilot, one flight engineer and one or two PJs (these initials came from the old Para Jumper name, replaced later by Pararescue) who go on the ground when pilots cannot be hoisted from the jungle. This photo series was inspired by the rescue of a USMC pilot performed by Capt Marty Richert in 1969; his flight suit is worn by one of the models. We decided to place this scene in 1968, so we could show older flight gear for the USMC pilot, especially his tiger stripe flight suit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BACK TO US AIR FORCE PHOTOS PAGE