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31st Rescue Squadron

{{multiple issues|{{more footnotes needed|date=December 2012}}{{lead too short|date=January 2018}}}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name= 31st Rescue Squadron

| image=HH-3E 31st ARRS with BQM-34 1984.JPEG

| image_size = 300

|caption=31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron HH-3E retrieving a Firebee drone in 1984

|dates=1952–1960; 1963–1975; 1981–2001; 2003–present

|country={{USA}}

|branch={{air force|USA}}

|type=

|role=Search and Rescue

|size=

|command_structure= Pacific Air Forces

|current_commander=

|garrison= Kadena Air Base

|ceremonial_chief=

|colonel_of_the_regiment=

|nickname=

|patron=

|motto=

|colors=

|march=

|mascot=

|battles=

|notable_commanders=

|anniversaries=

|decorations=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434091/31-rescue-squadron-pacaf/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 31 Rescue Squadron (PACAF)|date=10 December 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

|battle_honours=

|identification_symbol=165px

|identification_symbol_label=31st Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 15 September 1993)

|identification_symbol_2=

|identification_symbol_2_label=

}}

The 31st Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It trains, equips and employs combat-ready pararescue specialists.

History

The 31st Rescue Squadron was constituted as the 31st Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952. They made combat rescues in Southeast Asia, 1965–1966 and also operated the Joint Rescue Coordination Center for Thirteenth Air Force, Apr 1967 – July 1975. They took part in disaster relief missions in the Philippines between 16 and 31 July 1990. As a USAF Special Operations Squadron the 31st was forward deployed at Osan Air Base, Korea from 1992 to 2001, while its headquarters at the 353d Special Operations Group was stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Inactivated for a couple of years, in 2003 the squadron was redesignated the 31st Rescue Squadron under the 18th Wing and stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 31st Air Rescue Squadron on 17 October 1952

: Activated on 14 November 1952

: Discontinued on 18 September 1960

  • Organized on 8 July 1963

: Redesignated 31st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 January 1966

: Inactivated on 1 July 1975

  • Activated on 8 January 1981

: Redesignated 31st Special Operations Squadron on 6 April 1989

: Inactivated on 31 August 2001

  • Redesignated 31st Rescue Squadron on 16 May 2003

: Activated on 31 July 2003

=Assignments=

  • 2d Air Rescue Group, 14 November 1952
  • Air Rescue Service, 24 June 1958 – 18 September 1960
  • Air Rescue Service (later Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service), 8 July 1963 (attached to Pacific Air Rescue Center (later Pacific Aerospace Rescue and Recovery) Center, until 31 March 1967)
  • Pacific Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Center (later 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing), 1 April 1967 – 1 July 1975
  • 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 8 January 1981
  • 353d Special Operations Wing (later 353d Special Operations Group) 6 April 1989 – 31 August 2001
  • 18th Operations Group, 31 July 2003 – present

=Stations=

=Aircraft=

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090213034050/http://thepavecave.com/pages/History/history_31st.html 31st Special Operations Squadron History]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110209053131/http://www.thepavecave.com/ The PAVE Cave (unofficial PAVE LOW website)]

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