| Unit Name: | 58th Rescue Squadron |
| Dates: | 1952–1960; 1961–1970; 2002–present |
| Role: | Search and Rescue |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison: | Nellis Air Force Base |
| Motto: | Courage and Honor[1] |
| Decorations: | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 58th Rescue Squadron emblem (approved c. 2007) |
The 58th Rescue Squadron is one of five active-duty squadrons under the command of the 563d Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona but located at Operating Site Alpha, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.[2]
In the fall of 1952, Air Rescue Service, expanded its existing squadrons to groups. Its 7th Air Rescue Squadron, which had responsibility for rescue support in an area stretching from the middle Atlantic and across North Africa to the Middle East, became the 7th Air Rescue Group. Air Rescue Service formed new squadrons, which replaced existing flights of the old squadrons. The 58th Air Rescue Squadron was activated at Wheelus Air Base, Libya, where it assumed the mission and took over the resources of Flight E, 6th Air Rescue Squadron.
The 58th flew search and rescue in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe, especially at the El Uotia Gunnery Range in Libya. It was briefly inactive from September 1960 until June 1961. It also stood downrange alert during crewed space missions, performed some overwater escort, and provided humanitarian aid during natural disasters. In September 1969, a coup led by Muammar Gaddafi replaced the Kingdom of Libya with the Libyan Arab Republic. The new republic terminated American base rights in Libya and the squadron was inactivated.
Until about 2000, Air Force rescue units were frequently composite units (as shown by the number of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft flown by the squadron at Wheelus). At that time, rescue units were organized as fixed-wing, helicopter, or pararescue units. The squadron, now the 58th Rescue Squadron, was activated at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in June 2002 as a pararescue squadron, often called a "Guardian Angel" squadron. The squadron possesses no aircraft; its rescue personnel fly on the helicopters of the 66th Rescue Squadron.
Activated on 14 November 1952
Discontinued on 18 September 1960
Redesignated 58th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 15 February 1970
Activated on 14 June 2002[1]