39th ARRS
The 39th ARRS was based at Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam and flew 11 HC-130Ps with the callsign CROWN.
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When stationed in Vietnam, the 39th had no helicopters assigned. The HC-130's would coordinate rescue missions as “Crown” aircraft. The 39th conducted search, rescue, and escort missions Southeast Asia from, January 1967-April 1972. It also flew missions included refueling rescue helicopters and performing airborne command, control, and communications functions during combat rescue operations.
The 39th again flew search and rescue in and around Japan from, 1992-1994. It has trained for combat search and rescue, performed search and rescue missions, and refueled rescue helicopters since 1997.
Operations
On 16 January 1967, the squadron was formed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base with six Lockheed HC-130Hs transferred from the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.
On 8 June 1967 the squadron relocated from Udorn RTAFB to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam and began to receive HC-130Ps to replace their HC-130Hs. The HC-130P was the first aircraft able to refuel helicopters and so provided a dramatic increase in range for helicopters, particularly those involved in CSAR missions. By mid-1969, the squadron was operating 11 HC-130Ps from Tuy Hoa
On 16 September 1970 the squadron relocated from Tuy Hoa AB to Cam Ranh Air Base.
In March 1972 the squadron moved from Cam Ranh AB to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. On 1 April 1972 the 39th ARRS was dissolved and the aircraft and crews temporarily became part of Detachment 4 of the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group at Korat. On 8 July 1972 the Detachment was redesignated the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.
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This web page is under construction. If you can offer any information on the 39th ARRS, please contact the USAFHPA Historian.
