Got gas?

OVER SAN DIEGO, Calif. - An HH-60 from the 55th Rescue Squadron's moves in to refuel from the 79th Rescue Squadron's C-130 here. This is part of a water rescue training exercise conducted jointly between the 55th, 79th, and 48th Rescue Squadrons, all a part of the Air Force Search and Rescue Operations Mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal)

HH-60G Pave Hawk

FILE PHOTO -- The primary mission of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. Because of its versatility, the HH-60G is also tasked to perform military operations other than war. These tasks include civil search and rescue, emergency aeromedical evacuation, disaster relief, international aid, counterdrug activities and NASA space shuttle support. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

HH-60G Pave Hawk

CSAR mission to fall under ACC

Published Feb. 28, 2006
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- Combat search and rescue will be coming back to Air Combat Command, the Air Force announced today.

Gen. T. Michael Moseley, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, directed the transfer of administrative control for select active-duty Air Force CSAR assets from Air Force Special Operations Command back to ACC.

“Our military must always have the combat capability to rescue its people ... our warriors ... wherever and whenever required,” said General Moseley. “I’ve given ACC, [Pacific Air Forces] and AFSOC commanders 30 days to develop a transition plan.”

This change ensures this critical Air Force capability is directly linked to the Combat Air Forces. Under ACC, the CSAR asset can be mobilized faster during a national crisis, integrated into combat training and tasked to support all AEF rotations. It will consolidate management of limited Air Force resources.

Assets affected by this realignment include the HC-130 and HH-60 aircraft and most of the combat rescue officers/pararescuemen. PACAF and U.S. Air Forces Europe active-duty units will remain separate from this action. With the exception of PACAF, Guard and Reserve units will remain under administrative control to their respective units until they have been mobilized, at which time they will become ACC units.

“This realignment will be completely transparent to the warfighters who rely on this capability day in and day out," said Gen. Ron Keys, ACC commander. “Our CSAR Airmen are arguably the best in the world, and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome them back into the ACC fold.”