40th Helicopter Squadron

40th Helicopter Squadron

An HH-53B of the 40th ARRS refueling from an HC-130P over North Vietnam, 1969–70
Active 1968-1976; 1978-1987; 1993-present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Rescue & Recovery
Part of Air Force Global Strike Command
Nickname(s) Buff
Engagements

Vietnam War

Insignia
40th Helicopter Squadron emblem (Approved 10 July 2003)[1]

The 40th Helicopter Squadron is a missile support unit. As the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron it was a helicopter rescue squadron of the USAF during the Vietnam War.


History

The squadron was activated as the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in March 1968 with HH-3s which were nicknamed "Nitnoy." Later HH-53s arrived and these were nicknamed "BUFF."

In March 1968, Detachment 2 of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s and HH-53Bs, was transferred to the 40th ARRS.[2]

The 40th moved to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base on 21 July 1971.

20 August 1972, the local base rescue detachments of the 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group each operating 2 HH-43s were transferred to the 40th ARRS, comprising:[3]

30 November 1972, with the inactivation of the 37th ARRS at Danang Air Base, 5 of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II.[4]

Following the Paris Peace Accords all remaining US Forces were withdrawn from South Vietnam by 27 March 1973. Detachment 7 at Danang Air Base and Detachment 14 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base were inactivated during this period. Following the withdrawal from South Vietnam the 40th's force level was 11 HH-53s and 14 HH-43s.[5]

The USAF continued combat operations over Cambodia until 15 August 1973 and the 40th provided CSAR support during this period. Following the end of combat operations the 40th kept 2 HH-53s at Nakhon Phanom on 15-minute alert during daylight and 45-minute alert at night.[6]

In July 1974 Detachment 10 at Takhli was disbanded, followed in August by Detachment 3 at Ubon. On 20 February 1975, Detachment 1 at Nakhon Phanom was disbanded. At this time the 40th's force level had dropped to 8 HH-53Cs and 4 HH-43Fs.[7]

The 40th moved to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on 1 October 1975. On 15 October 1975 with the inactivation of the 56th ARRS its 4 HC-130Ps joined the 40th.[8]

On 31 January 1976 the 40th ARRS was inactivated at Korat RTAFB.[9]

Operations and losses

HH-53B of the 40th ARRS which participated in the Son Tay Raid[note 1]

[27]

40th ARRS HH-53 as seen from a 21st SOS CH-53 in 1972

Lineage

Inactivated on 31 January 1976
Activated on 1 July 1978
Inactivated on 31 December 1987
Activated on 1 May 1993

Assignments

Detachments

Detachment 1, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida: 8 January 1981 - 1 October 1985

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes

  1. Aircraft, serial 68-10357, is pictured after it was converted to an MH-53M Pave Low IV. During the Son Tay raid its call sign was Apple 1. It is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Robertson, Patsy (April 26, 2011). "Factsheet 40 Helicopter Squadron (AFGSC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  2. Tilford, p. 81
  3. Tilford, p. 115
  4. Tilford, p. 127
  5. Tilford, p. 128
  6. Tilford, p. 135
  7. Tilford, p. 136
  8. Tilford, p. 154
  9. Tilford, p. 155
  10. "SGT Thomas A Newman, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  11. "COL Charles R Brownlee". The Virtual Wall.
  12. "A1C Charles King, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  13. "CMS Charles Douglas King". The Virtual Wall.
  14. Vietnamese Air-to-Air Victories, Part 2
  15. "MAJ Holly G Bell". The Virtual Wall.
  16. "Capt Leonard C Leeser". The Virtual Wall.
  17. "Ssgt William C Shinn". The Virtual Wall.
  18. "SMS William D Pruett". The Virtual Wall.
  19. "Msgt William C Sutton". The Virtual Wall.
  20. "Ssgt Gregory L Anderson". The Virtual Wall.
  21. "Capt Leroy C Schaneberg". The Virtual Wall.
  22. "MAJ John W Goeglein". The Virtual Wall.
  23. "SSGT Marvin E Bell". The Virtual Wall.
  24. "MSGT Paul L Jenkins". The Virtual Wall.
  25. "SSGT Michael F Dean". The Virtual Wall.
  26. "Capt Leroy Schaneberg Air Force Cross". Military Times Hall of valor.
  27. "Callsign 'Apple 1'". National Museum of the United States Air Force. March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  28. "COL Warner Britton, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  29. "CAPT David E Pannabecker". The Virtual Wall.
  30. "CAPT Richard E Dreher". The Virtual Wall.
  31. "SGT James Manor". The Virtual Wall.
  32. "SGT Raymond J Crow". The Virtual Wall.
  33. "A1C Raymond A Wagner". The Virtual Wall.
  34. "CAPT Bennie D Orrell, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  35. "Biography: Brigadier General Dale E Stovall". U.S. Air Force website.
  36. "Valor: A good thought to sleep on". Airforce Magazine.com.
  37. "CAPT Dale Stovall, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  38. "SGT Charles McGrath, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  39. "CAPT Gilbert A Rovito". The Virtual Wall.
  40. "1LT Francis E Meador". The Virtual Wall.
  41. "MSGT David V McLeod". The Virtual Wall.
  42. Dunham, p. 115
  43. Dunham, p. 186
  44. Dunham, p. 239

Bibliography

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