347th Rescue Wing
Encyclopedia
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
, stationed at Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Lowndes County and Lanier County, about northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, United States.Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing...
, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 October 2006
History
- For additional lineage and history, see 347th Rescue Group347th Rescue GroupThe United States Air Force's 347th Rescue Group is an active combat search and rescue unit assigned to the 23d Wing at Moody AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
Provided air defense of Japanese territory Aug 1948– Mar 1950. Reactivated in Jan 1968 at Yokota AB, performed air defense and reconnaissance missions over Japan and South Korea through early May 1971.
Reactivated in May 1971 at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, replacing the 67 TFW which moved in July 1971 to Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. Equipped with F-111F Aardvarks, the 347th had a short stay at Mountain Home, conducting F-111F training until October 1972, when the 366 TFW moved from Vietnam to Mountain Home. Upon its arrival, the 366th absorbed all the personnel and equipment of the 347th.
Vietnam War
On 30 July 1973 the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing which was reactivated at Takhli RTFB, Thailand replacing the 474th TFW which returned to the United States. The wing retained two squadrons of F-111As of the 474th, and for a brief two-week period the 347th flew combat operations into Cambodia until 15 August, when the last wartime mission of the Vietnam Era was flown into Cambodia for final mission of Constant Guard. After the cease-fire, the wing was maintained in a combat-ready status for possible contingencyAfter the end of combat missions in Indochina, the 347th moved to Korat RTAFB, Thailand in 1974 after the closure of Taklhi and remained in Southeast Asia through May 1975 to undertake strike missions in the event of further contingency operations. Participated in numerous exercises and firepower demonstrations, and, during Jan–May 1975, flew sea surveillance missions. Participated in the recovery of the American merchantman SS Mayaguez from Cambodian forces in May 1975.
Post Vietnam era
Replaced Det. 1, 363d Combat Support Group at Moody AFB and trained to become proficient in F-4E aircraft. Assumed responsibility for operating Moody AFB in Dec 1975. Thereafter, conducted frequent exercise deployments in the U.S. and overseas to maintain capabilities specializing in air-to-ground attack using precision-guided weapons. Transitioned to F-16A/B aircraft, 1988–1989, and oriented mission planning toward NATO requirements by conducting squadron-strength deployments to Europe.Began upgrading to F-16C/D in Jan 1990 and in Aug 1990 became first operational TAC unit to employ the LANTIRN all-weather/night navigation and bombing system. Sent support personnel to Southwest Asia in Aug 1990, and in Jan 1991 deployed one fighter squadron to fly combat missions. Following the ceasefire, continued to support peace-keeping operations with periodic aircraft deployments to Saudi Arabia.
As a result of hurricane damage at Homestead AFB, FL, two fighter squadrons from there moved to Moody AFB in Aug 1992, and in Nov 1992 were assigned to the 347th, making it the largest F-16 wing in the USAF. Regularly deployed elements to Southwest Asia to support Operation Southern Watch and other contingencies.
Modern era
Became a composite wing in 1994 with the addition of airlift and close air support elements, and as part of the realignment of the post Cold-War Air Force, HQ ACC converted and realigned the 347th Fighter Wing to the 347th Wing (347 WG) on 1 July 1994, with a new mission being that of a force projection, air/land composite wing.On 1 April 1997 the 347th Wing added a combat search and rescue (CSAR) component with the addition of the 41st Rescue Squadron
41st Rescue Squadron
The 41st Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-Mission:...
(41 RQS) with HH-60G helicopters and the 71st Rescue Squadron
71st Rescue Squadron
The 71st Rescue Squadron is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It flies HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.-Mission:...
(71 RQS) with specialized HC-130P aircraft, both units transferring from Patrick AFB, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. To make room for these squadrons, the 52d Airlift Squadron was deactivated, with its C-130s being transferred to the 71 RQS.
The F-16s of the 347th Wing began to be transferred out as the "Composite Wing" concept ended at Moody. The 70 FS was deactivated on 30 June 2000, the 69 FS deactivated on 2 February 2001, and the 68 FS was deactivated on 1 April. The F-16s and A-10s/OA-10s were transferred to various active-duty, Air Force Reserve Command
Air Force Reserve Command
The Air Force Reserve Command is a major command of the U.S. Air Force with its headquarters at Robins AFB, Georgia.It stood up as a major command of the Air Force on 17 February 1997....
and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
squadrons both in CONUS as well as overseas. On 1 May 2001, the 347th Wing stood down as a composite wing and stood up as the 347th Rescue Wing (347 RQW), becoming the Air Force's only active-duty combat search and rescue wing.
On 1 October 2003, Moody was transferred from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(AFSOC). With the change of assignment the The 347th Rescue Wing was transferred from ACC to AFSOC. This was a short-lived experiment that temporarily placed all USAF air rescue assets (Active, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard) under AFSOC. On 1 October 2005, the 347 RQW returned to Air Combat Command
Inactivated on 1 October 2006, personnel and equipment being reassigned to the 23d Wing which was moved to Moody from Pope AFB, North Carolina.
Lineage
- Established as 347 Fighter Wing, All Weather, on 10 Aug 1948
- Activated on 18 Aug 1948
- Redesignated 347 Fighter-All Weather Wing on 20 Jan 1950
- Inactivated on 24 Jun 1950
- Redesignated 347 Tactical Fighter Wing, and activated, on 21 Dec 1967
- Organized on 15 Jan 1968
- Inactivated on 31 Oct 1972
- Activated on 30 Jul 1973
- Inactivated on 30 Jun 1975
- Activated on 30 Sep 1975
- Redesignated: 347 Fighter Wing on 1 Oct 1991
- Redesignated: 347 Wing on 1 Jul 1994
- Redesignated: 347 Rescue Wing on 1 May 2001
- Inactivated on 1 Oct 2006, personnel and equipment redesignated as 23d Wing23d WingThe 23d Wing is a front-line United States Air Force Air Combat Command wing currently assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:The mission of the 23d Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130 and HH-60, as well as pararescuemen and force protection assets...
.
Assignments
- 315th Air Division315th Air DivisionThe 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
, 18 Aug 1948 - Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 1 Mar-24 Jun 1950 - Pacific Air Forces, 21 Dec 1967
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, 15 Jan 1968 - Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 15 May 1971 - 832d Air Division832d Air DivisionThe 832d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force, being stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona...
, 15 May 1971-31 Oct 1972 - Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 30 Jul 1973-30 Jun 1975
- Attached to: Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 30 Jul 1973-c. 14 Feb 1974 - Attached to: United States Support Activities Group/Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, c. 14 Feb 1974-30 Jun 1975- Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, 30 Sep 1975 - Air Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
, 1 Oct 2003-1 Oct 2006
- Ninth Air Force
Components
Groups- 1st Rescue Group: 1 Apr-30 Sep 1997
- 23d Fighter Group23d Fighter GroupThe 23d Fighter Group is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Wing and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia....
: 1 Apr 1997-27 Jun 2000 - 347th Fighter (later, Operations) Group347th Rescue GroupThe United States Air Force's 347th Rescue Group is an active combat search and rescue unit assigned to the 23d Wing at Moody AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
: 18 Aug 1948-24 Jun 1950; 1 May 1991–Present - 563d Rescue Group: 1 Oct 2003-1 Oct 2006
Squadrons
- 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 Jan 1968-15 Mar 1971 (detached)
- 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 Jan 1968-15 Mar 1971 (detached 22 Mar-10 Jun 1968)
- 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 Jan 1968-15 May 1971
- 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1975-1 May 1991 (detached 30 May-5 Jul 1990)
- 69th Tactical Fighter Training (later, 69 Tactical Fighter) Squadron69th Fighter SquadronThe 69th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve fighter squadron. It is assigned to the 944th Operations Group, stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.-Mission:...
: 1 Jul 1983-1 May 1991 (detached 8 Jan-1 May 1991). - 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Sep 1975-1 May 1991 (detached 29 Aug-28 Sep 1989)
- 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 Jan 1968-15 Mar 1971 (detached 15 Feb-15 Mar 1971)
- 339th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Dec 1975-1 Jul 1983
- 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 15 Oct 1971-31 Oct 1972
- 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Jun-31 Oct 1972
- 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron: 1 Jul 1971-31 Oct 1972
- 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Jul 1973-15 Jun 1975
- 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 Jul 1973-21 Jun 1975
- 556th Reconnaissance Squadron: 1 Jul 1968-15 May 1971
- 4589th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 1 Sep-15 Oct 1971
- 4590th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 1 Jan-30 Jun 1972
- 6091 Reconnaissance Squadron: 15 Jan-1 Jul 1968
Stations
- Itazuke Airfield, Japan, 18 Aug 1948
- Bofu Air Base, Japan, 15 Oct 1948
- Ashiya Afld (later, AB)Ashiya Air Fieldis a military aerodrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force . It is located north of Ashiya in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.-History:Ashiya Airfield was established as a Japanese Army Air Force facility in 1944, and was used primarily as a defensive airfield, launching interceptors against...
, Japan, 3 May 1949 - Nagoya AB, Japan, 1 Apr-24 Jun 1950
- Yokota AB, Japan, 15 Jan 1968-15 May 1971
- Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 15 May 1971-31 Oct 1972
- Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, 30 Jul 1973
- Korat RTAFB, Thailand, 12 Jul 1974-30 Jun 1975
- Moody AFB, Georgia, 30 Sep 1975-1 October 2006
Aircraft
- F-51 Mustang, 1948
- F-61 Black Widow, 1948–1950
- F-82 Twin MustangF-82 Twin MustangThe North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II; however, the war ended well before the first...
, 1949–1950 - F-105 ThunderchiefF-105 ThunderchiefThe Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
, 1968 - F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, 1968–1971 - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
, 1968–1971 - EB-57 Canberra, 1968–1971
- RB-57 Canberra, 1968
- F-111 Aardvark, 1971–1972; 1973–1975
- F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, 1975–1988 - F-16 Falcon, 1987–2001
- C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
, 1994–2006 - A/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIA-10 Thunderbolt IIThe Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
, 1995–2000 - HC-130 Hercules, 1997–2006
- HH-60 Pave HawkHH-60 Pave HawkThe Sikorsky MH-60G/HH-60G Pave Hawk is a twin turboshaft engine helicopter in service with the United States Air Force. It is a derivative of the UH-60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program...
, 1997–2006