1952 to present


usa 55th Rescue Squadron

US Air Force

55 RQS







55th Rescue Squadron US Air Force

55th Rescue Squadron
The Night Hawks were formed in 1952 as the 55th Air Rescue Squadron which was stationed in Greenland and Bermuda before moving to Florida in 1970. In 1982 was the first USAF unit to operated the H-60 when received UH-60A Black Hawks (as the Night Hawk) loaned by the Army waiting for the arrival of the Air Force variant Pave Hawk. In 1999 the MH-60G Squadron was dissolved and the helicopters re-designated HH-60G.

1952-1966 : 55 Air Rescue Squadron ( 55 ARS )
1966-1988 : 55 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron ( 55 ARRS )
1988-1999 : 55th Special Operations Squadron ( 55 SOS )
2003 - 55th Rescue Squadron ( 55 RQS )

While under the 55th SOS, the MH-60G was flown during operation Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, Allied Force and various other special operations missions.




Flew with the squadron in 76-77 out of Eglin as part of the SR crew. Good times and long flights. One in particular stands out looking for a Marine F4 crew that went down in the Gulf. Mission was extended for over two weeks because the pilot was the son of the Marine Commandant. Most reliable helicopter I ever flew in and terrific people.

1982-1984, I was with the 55 arts. Was one of the first instrument techs to work on Blackhawks. Went to several army posts to learn avionics




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  News about 55 RQS


First HH-60W for USAF 55th Rescue Squadron

First HH-60W for USAF 55th Rescue Squadron

10-May-23 - US Air Force 55th Rescue Squadron (55 RQS), Night Hawks based at Davis-Monthan AFB, has begun the transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk to the HH-60W Jolly Green II with the reception of the first helicopter on May 3, 2023 and is scheduled to continue through 2024 #Arizona
P1AR in Hoist Rescue Training for USAF

P1AR in Hoist Rescue Training for USAF

26-Jul-22 - Priority 1 Air Rescue delivers advanced hoist rescue training for US Air Force 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. #winching
MH-60G Pave Hawk 009 Retirement

MH-60G Pave Hawk 009 Retirement

11-May-21 - US Air Force retired the Sikorsky MH-60G Pave Hawk tail number 87-26009 after 32 year, 11,000 flight hours and multiple deployments. The helicopter is to be displayed at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park honoring 55th Special Operations Squadron (55 SOS) #PaveHawk
Chilean Black Hawk Pilots Trained in USA

Chilean Black Hawk Pilots Trained in USA

03-Jan-20 - USAF 55th Rescue Squadron (RQS) hosted Chilean Air Force (FACh) pilots during an H-60 Subject Matter Expert Exchange. This was the second SMEE about the Black Hawk that took place in 2019. The 55 RQS flies the HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue (CSAR) variant #BlackHawk
1st SOW in operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield

1st SOW in operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield

15-Nov-06 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla ny Master Sgt Jeff Michalke , 16th SOW History Office - President George H.W. Bush ordered ground, sea and air forces to Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf as part of a multi-national operation named Desert Shield on Aug. 6, 1990.


  Locations


YearsLocationICAO/FAA
2003-    Davis-Monthan AFBKDMA
1993/99Hurlburt FieldKHRT
1971/93Eglin AFBKVPS


helicopter   Models


Years Models
2023-    HH-60W Jolly Green II
2003/24 S-70 H-60 HH-60G Pave Hawk
1982/99 S-70 H-60 MH-60G Pave Hawk
1980/82 S-61 H-3
1973/90 S-65 H-53
1963/64 H-43 Huskie
1961/63 S-55 H-19
1956/60 H-21
1953/56 S-55 H-19






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