Dates: 1946 - 1966

The Air Crash Rescue service also known as the Air Rescue Service was a subcommand of the MATS (Military Air Transport Service), which was a major command of the United States Air Force. The Air Rescue Service was established in 1946, and served the U.S. Air Force proudly during the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts as well as the Cold War.

Rescue’s worth was proven time and again; 996 combat saves in Korea and 2,780 in Southeast Asia. The crews, both fixed-wing and helicopter had but one motto: "These things we do that others may live."

On 1 Jan 1966, MATS was redesignated as the Military Airlift Command and ARS was redesignated as the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS).

The current structure and strength of search and rescue in today’s U.S. Air Force is greatly reduced from the force structure that served from 1946 through the end of the Vietnam Era.

Memories of Aircraft Crash Rescue

Aircraft Crash Rescue, Masirah in 2011
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"I was on AOC parade the AOC stopped and spoke to the chap next to me and asked what do you do in your spare time his reply was I go crab bashing sir. The AOC asked how do you do that. Dave Lambourne replied I go down to the beach wait for a crab to come out of its hole then I get in between so it can not go back into its hole then I kick it to bits."

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Aircraft Crash Rescue

"Served on the Aircraft Crash Rescue Service in Nicosia, Cyprus from 1958 to 1960. Names I remember from all those years ago are Fred Webb, Dave Young, Blondie Chamberlain, Jock Young and Johnny Reeson just to name a few."

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