131st Rescue Squadron

131st Rescue Squadron
Active	1956-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Combat Rescue
Part of	Air National Guard/Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Moffett Federal Airfield
Engagements	Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom

The 131st Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. It is assigned to the 129th Operations Group, which falls under the 129th Rescue Wing.

Mission

The primary mission is to prepare for wartime taskings as specified by applicable gaining commands. The peacetime mission is under the control of the Governor of California. Upon mobilization, primary specified mission is combat search and rescue (CSAR). When directed by the California State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and/or the Department of Defense (DoD), the mission is to provide disaster relief support as required. This includes search and rescue (SAR) assistance to civil authorities, including International Civil Aeronautics Organization (ICAO) signatories, and foreign governments.

Federal Mission (United States Air Force): To provide manpower, material and equipment resources to conduct and complete combat search and rescue operations on a worldwide basis. To provide manpower, material and equipment to conduct and complete peacetime search operations.

State Mission (California Air National Guard): To furnish trained personnel to respond to state emergencies, such as natural disasters, and to assist civil authorities in the enforcement of the law.

The 131st has been assigned to support operations Iraqi Freedom as of 4/21/07 and Operation Enduring Freedom, and is/has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assignments

Major Command

• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (2007–Present)
• Air National Guard/Air Force Special Operations Command (2004–2007)
• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992–2004)
• Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1956–1992)
• Air National Guard/Continental Air Command (1956)

Previous Designations

• 131st Rescue Squadron (1 October 1995–Present)
• 131st Rescue Squadron, 16 March 1992
• 131st Air Rescue Squadron, 1 October 1989
• 131st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3 May 1975
• 131st Special Operations Squadron, 8 August 1968
• 131st Air Commando Squadron, 1 July 1963
• 131st Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium), 28 January 1962
• 131st Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 November 1958
• Allocated to the National Guard Bureau (NGB), 3 April 1955
• 131st Air Resupply Squadron, 3 April 1955

Bases Stationed

• Moffett Federal Airfield (1984–Present)
• Hayward Airport (1956–1984)

Aircraft operated

• Squadron has no assigned aircraft
• Aircraft listed below have been assigned to the other squadrons within the Operations Group
• MC-130P Combat Shadow (19??-Present)
• HH-60G Pave Hawk (1991–Present)
• HH-3E Jolly Green Giant (1975–1991)
• U-10D Super Courier (1968–1975)
• U-6A Beaver (1968–1975)
• Cessna U-3A (1968–1975)
• C-119 Flying Boxcar (1968–1975)
• SA-16 Albatross (1963–1968)