102d Rescue Squadron

The 102d Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard and the oldest Air National Guard unit in the United States. It has flown a number of aircraft including balloons, biplanes, and helicopters, though it currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules for its missions. Its parent unit is the 106th Rescue Wing.

History

The 102d traces its lineage back to the 1st Aero Company, which was originally formed in 1908 in the New York (National) Guard.^[1] In 1915, with the First World War going on in Europe, the 1st Aero Company was officially organized by the military as an unnumbered detachment of the 1st Battalion Signal Corps, training at Mineola on Long Island.

The 1st Aero Company should not be confused with the 1st Aero Squadron, the first in the Army Air Corps, which was deployed to New Mexico. By virtue of its participation as a combat unit with the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, the 1st Aero Squadron was the first organization of its kind that was ever used in active field service in the history of the United States Army. The squadron took to the field with airplanes of very low military efficiency, and with less than 50 percent of its authorized allowance of truck transportation.

After World War I, the 1st Aero Company was renamed and officially numbered the 102nd Observation Squadron, and assigned to the New York Guard.

Assignments

Major Command

• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (2006–Present)
• Air National Guard/Air Force Special Operations Command (2004–2006)
• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (February 1, 1993–2004)
• Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command
• Air National Guard/Aerospace Defense Command
• Air National Guard/Strategic Air Command
• Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command
• Air National Guard/Air Defense Command
• Air National Guard/Strategic Air Command

Previous Designations^[2]

• 102d Rescue Squadron (March 16, 1992 – Present)
• 102d Air Rescue Squadron (October 1, 1989 – March 16, 1992)
• 102d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron (June 14, 1975 – October 1, 1989)
• 102d Fighter Interceptor Squadron
• 102d Air Refueling Squadron
• 102d Air Transport Squadron (Heavy)
• 102d Aeromedical Transport Squadron
• 102d Fighter Interceptor Squadron
• 102d Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
• 102d Bombardment Squadron (Light)
• 102d Observation Squadron

Bases Stationed

• Francis S. Gabreski Airport, New York (1975–Present)

Aircraft operated

• HH-60G Pavehawk(1990–Present)
• HC-130N Hercules (1988–Present)
• HH-3E Sea King (1975–1990)
• HC-130P Hercules (1975–present)
• F-102A Delta Dagger
• KC-97L Stratotanker
• C-97G Stratofreighter
• C-97A Stratofreighter
• MC-119J Flying Boxcar
• F-94B Starfire
• T-33 Shooting Star
• B-26 Invader
• B-29 Superfortress (1951–1952)
• Douglas O-46
• Douglas O-38
• O-11 Falcon
• Curtiss JN-4 Jenny

References

External links

• GlobalSecurity.org 102nd Rescue Squadron.