US Air Force Air Rescue Service: An Illustrated History

This book covers air rescue operations of the US Army Air Force and US Air Force from World War II to the present, including specialized training and equipment and aircraft types such as the Stinson L-5, Douglas SC-47, and Boeing HC-97G. It also discusses the service's expansion during the Cold War and its role in astronaut recovery and humanitarian aid.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

This comprehensive work on air rescue operations of the US Army Air Force and US Air Force takes the reader on a journey from the service's inception during World War II to its present-day operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Extensive text, accompanied by numerous photographs, including many previously unpublished, presents all aspects of air rescue operations, including the service's founding, specialized training, and equipment. The book discusses various aircraft types, such as the Stinson L-5, Douglas SC-47, Douglas HC/SC-54D "Rescuemaster," Fairchild SC-82A "Packet," Boeing HC-97G "Strato-Rescuer," Bell H-1 "Huey," Sikorsky H-3 "Jolly Green Giant," and many more.

During the Cold War, this air arm expanded significantly and assumed the new mission of astronaut recovery in the early years of the US space program, as well as providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters worldwide. Air rescue truly came into its own during the Vietnam War, when it became a highly skilled and effective force, rescuing thousands of fliers downed in combat and supporting beleaguered ground troops.

The present USAF air rescue service continues to uphold its motto, "That Others May Live." This remarkable book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and evolution of air rescue operations and the brave individuals who have dedicated their lives to saving others in times of need.

Weight: 1834g
Dimension: 222 x 287 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764364808