40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron

Kaman HH-43F Huskie forward operating bases:

Det.1 RAF Alconbury, UK
Det.2 RAF Upper Heyford, UK
Det.3 RAF Lakenheath, UK
Det.4 Ramstein AB, West Germany
Det.5 Hahn AB, West Germany
Det.6 Incirlik AB, Turkey
Det.7 Torrejon AB, Spain
Det.8 Bitburg AB, West Germany
Det.9 RAF Wethersfield, UK
Det.10 Aviano AB, Italy
Det.12 RAF Woodbridge, UK
Det.13 Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
Det.15 Zaragoza AB, Spain

UH-1N at Homestead was Det 1 and was still active until at least 1987. Aircraft 69-6663, 69-7536 and 69-7537. All went to 1HS Andrews. We had 69-6639 until late 1979 that went to Yokota. -

Hill AFB Det 4 40th ARRS / 39 ARRW I flew the UH-1N from Feb81/May82

1982-1985. I flew UH-1Ns at Det 4, 40th ARRS at Hill AFB from early 1982 through the end of 1985. Lots of range support missions to west desert of Utah. Frequent civilian SAR missions, and responded to military crashes, mainly F-16s, in the Utah Test and Training range. Commanders LtCol John Lee, Maj Jay Messenger, Maj Michael Farage. Operations officers Sqdn Ldr Angus Houston, Maj Terry Huey.

Holloman AFB Det 6 40th ARRS flew the UH-1N 1985-1987. We received some TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) to the Bahamas

Plattsburgh AFB Det 18 40th ARRS, I was in this squadron from 1980 - 1983

1980-1984 Det 18, 40 ARRS Plattsburgh, NY

Mountain Home AFB Det 22 40th ARRS, until 1988 we had 3 UH-1N helicopters tail numbers 68-10776, 69-6602 and 69-6615

1982, Arrived Mt. Home early summer 1982. Numerous Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic (MAST) missions with a few that still stand out: Fire Watch gentleman fell into rocks below tower on Trinity Peak, girls softball team struck by drunk driver on a Saturday morning as they headed for state championship, firewood gathering went badly on Smith’s Prairie, motorcycle versus pickup tailgate... list goes on and on. Best people, best location, best assignment of my 22 year career. “Rock” -

Fairchild AFB Det 24 40th ARRS (Save) was active till Jan 1988 then was reassigned to the 37 ARRS (Beaver) AC at location on Jan 1988 all UH-1N 69-6646 -6641, -6640, -6648, -6666.

I was assigned to 37 ARRS, Det.10, FE Warren AFB, then to 40th ARRS first Det.22, Mt Home AFB, then Det.4, Hill AFB, then to the Headquarters at Hill. First RDF deployment for the 40th took place at Mt Home under the maintenance supervision of MSgt Richard Henderson.