USAF 71st ARRS Patch Set

USAF 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron / Arctic Rescue Squadron Patch Set

Beautiful patch set and pretty rare! Nice hard to find baseball cap patch and subdued version of the original squadron patch.

The 71st Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready status as the last active duty Lockheed HC-130P Combat King, combat search and rescue squadron. The squadron deploys expeditionary forces to execute personnel recovery operations worldwide to support theater commanders to advance national security interests. This mission requires the squadron to conduct low-level operations and air refueling using night vision goggles and airdrop pararescue personnel of other units for in support of combat personnel recovery.

The 71st was first activated in November 1952 when Air Rescue Service expanded its existing air rescue squadrons to groups and expanded their flights to separate squadrons. It flew search, rescue and recovery missions out of Elmendorf Air Force Base from 1952–1960 and 1970-1991. It has flown aerial refueling missions for search and rescue operations since 1991.

The squadron has supported the combat search and rescue mission in Southwest Asia with aircraft and crews since 1992. In August 2014, the 71st completed its last deployment with the HC-130P Combat King aircraft, which it has flown since 2003. This was the last deployment by an active duty squadron with the Combat King model. The squadron is now beginning to transition to the HC-130J Combat King II by September 2015.

Got information about it? Got it? Want to sell or trade? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!