| Unit Name: | 33d Rescue Squadron |
| Dates: | 1952–1960; 1961–1970; 1971–present |
| Role: | Search and Rescue |
| Command Structure: | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison: | Kadena Air Base |
| Motto: | That Others May Live |
| Battles: | Vietnam War[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 33d Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 21 March 1978) |
The 33rd Rescue Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.
The squadron was established when the 2nd Air Rescue Squadron was expanded to Group status in 1952. Since that time, it has carried out air rescue duties with fixed wing aircraft until 1952, and thereafter with both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. It has been stationed almost continuously in Okinawa since the 1950s.
In 1952, Air Rescue Service expanded its existing squadrons to groups. In this reorganization, the 2d Air Rescue Squadron became a group,[2] and the 33d Air Rescue Squadron was activated at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa[1] with the mission of the former Flight C of the 2d Squadron. The squadron performed search and rescue and recovery missions from Kadena (and later from nearby Naha Air Base until it was discontinued in March 1960.[1]
Fifteen months after being discontinued, the 33d was again organized at Naha, performing the same mission. From 1965 to 1967 the squadron flew missions in support of the Vietnam WarFollowing the seizure of the by North Korea, the 33d supported operations between 29 January and 16 September 1968.[1] The squadron was inactivated in October 1970[1] as the Air Force drew down its operations at Naha.
The squadron returned to its initial base when it was reactivated on 1 July 1971. After a Soviet fighter aircraft shot down South Korean airliner, Korean Air Lines Flight 007 the squadron. aided search efforts and salvage operations from September to October 1983.[1]
On 17 January 2006, a squadron HH-60 rescued the pilot of an F-15C of the 44th Fighter Squadron that had ejected into the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa.[3] [4]
The squadron won the 2009 Vern Orr Award for most effective use of people and resources in pursuit of the mission.
Four members of the squadron here were named the 2009 MacKay Trophy winners. The MacKay Trophy is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the "most meritorious flight of the year." Capt Robert Rosebrough, 1Lt Lucas Will, MSgt Dustin Thomas and SSgt Tim Philpott formed the crew of a Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter, with the call sign "Pedro 16", and were honored for saving the crew of a downed Air Force aircraft and three soldiers in Afghanistan. The crew was deployed as part of the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. On 29 July 2009, "Pedro 16" and another helicopter, "Pedro 15" were on a medical evacuation mission of soldiers who had been wounded near Forward Operating Base Frontenac when their convoy was hit with an IED. The helicopters came under enemy fire, which downed "Pedro 15". "Pedro 16"'s crew, along with Army Bell OH-58 Kiowa crews, helped return the wounded soldiers and crew of "Pedro 15" to safety. The crew had previously been honored by the Jolly Green Association for this flight as the most outstanding rescue mission of the year.[5]
Squadron members were also honored with the 2011 MacKay Trophy, which was awarded to the crews of "Pedro 83" flight who distinguished themselves in combat search and rescue operations on 23 April 2011 while assigned to the 83d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.[6]
Activated on 14 November 1952
Discontinued on 18 March 1960
Redesignated 33d Air Recovery Squadron on 1 July 1965
Redesignated 33d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 1 October 1970
Redesignated 33d Air Rescue Squadron on 1 June 1989
Redesignated 33d Rescue Squadron on 1 February 1993[1]