Mission
The 38th Rescue Squadron maintains combat-ready status as a Guardian Angel rescue squadron. This squadron trains, equips and employs combat rescue officers, pararescue, survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) specialists and supporting personnel worldwide in support of U.S. national security interests and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Its members accomplish all five execution tasks of Personnel Recovery, specializing in survivor contact, treatment and extraction in denied, uncertain and hostile territories.

Background
The 38th Air Rescue Squadron was activated on Nov. 14, 1952, where it was assigned to the Third Air Rescue Group at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan. During this time, the squadron utilized the SA-16 Albatross, H-5, and H/SH-19 to conduct search, rescue and recovery in Japan and adjacent waters. Five years later in September 1957, the 38th ARS was inactivated. It was revived in June 1965 where it was stationed at Tan Son Nhit Afld, South Vietnam under the Headquarters Far East Air Forces. Just one year later in January 1966, it was redesignated as the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. With a new location, the squadron expanded and operated 14 search and rescue detachments in Vietnam and Thailand utilizing the CH/HH-3 Jolly Green Giant Helicopter and HH-43. The squadron was inactivated in July 1971 where it remained for much of the 1970s until it was bought back to life in July 1978. Upon being reactivated the squadron was moved to the United States where it was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., under the umbrella of the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing. With its close proximity to the Mississippi River, the squadron aided the river by employing the UH-1 Iroquois to provide light-lift helicopter operations. This stateside success was short lived because the squadron was relocated to Osan Air Force Base, South Korea, in January 1981, where it remained for the next 15 years. Throughout this time, the squadron utilized the CH-3 and HH-3 Jolly Green Giant and HH-60G Pave Hawk to fly rescue helicopter operation in South Korea and adjacent waters. Over the next few years, the squadron underwent many changes and was redesignated as the 38th Air Rescue Squadron in June 1989, the 38th Rescue Squadron in February 1993, and the 38th Rescue Flight. The 38th RF was inactivated in February 1996, until it was redesignated in April 2001, as the present day 38th Rescue Squadron. The 38th RQS was restored as at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in May 2001, aligned with the 347th Rescue Group. Since arriving at Moody AFB, the 38th RQS has trained combat-ready pararescue personnel and employed the HC-130 Combat King and HH-60G Pave Hawk to support worldwide U.S. national security interests.