On Mon, 6 Jan 1997
JBurousas@aol.com wrote:
The Third Air Rescue Squadron covered the Korean War including all of
Japan and surrounding waters. I was there from the start, 1950, to June
1952.
During this period of time we rescued over 5000 persons, monstly air
crewman. We used SA-16 amphibious aircraft capable of operating in the
sea or on land.
We also had a flight of helicopters which evacuated patients and also
rescued personnel. The squadron was part of MATS and the forward
element was under the control of the 5th AF.
On one notable mission an SA-16 landed in the river near the capitol of
North Korea, at night, and rescued an F-51 pilot. I was not abord the
aircraft that landed in the river but was in the backup aircraft
waiting to land if the first one failed. On another mission we
attempted to pick up an F-51 pilot at an abandoned air strip in North
Korea and crashed on the runway. I sent an SOS and was rescued the
next morning by on of our C-47's.
3rd Air Rescue Squadron
Flight A (Johnson AB, Japan): -November 14, 1952.
Flight B (Yokota/Misawa/Yokota/Komaki, Japan): -November 14, 1952.
Flight C (Misawa AB, Japan): -November 14, 1952.
Flight D (Ashiya AB, Japan): -November 14, 1952.
Opie Blanchard
On Thu, 22 May 97
Meribel Blanchard meribelb@imsweb.net wrote:
----excerpted....
His full name was Lloyd Courtney Blanchard (nicknamed "Opie") During
the Korean War he was at Kadena AFB, Okinawa in the 3rd Air Rescue
Squadron.
He served a TDY in Korea. I heard him often say that he was the 5th
helicopter pilot to fly in Korea. Very early in that war. He did fly
in to MASH units, and years later, met a doctor he had met there.
Thanks for providing the opportunity to contact our old friends.
Any vets stationed on Okinawa remember the O-Club called "the fights?"
The mascot of the jump squad, a dog called "Ripcord?" And a chopper
pilot named "Opie" Blanchard? He also flew C-47s and seaplanes. The
jump tower for practice landing falls? Recall the C.O.'s wife who
insisted all those painted ladies on the sides of planes be garbed?
As a dependent, when I drove to pick up "Opie" at the Rescue shack,
often had to dodge into the hardstands to get off the taxiways, if a
bomber was on the same road. When they were planning to park in the
same hardstand, things got scary.
We survived beetles in the flour, eggs so old they were flavored and
movies on benches under the stars.
Would like to hear from anyone on Okinawa 50-52, especially the Air
Rescue gang. A couple of us still relay news via Christmas cards.
Sincerely,
Meribel Blanchard
Det 1
On Sat, 29 Aug 1998
Norm Lucas Email addresswrote:
8141 Torin St
Long Beach, CA 90808-3342
Comments:
Was with Det 1, 3rd Air Rescue Squadron (later became 2157 Air Rescue
Squadron, 3rd Air Rescue Group) from 12/52 - 11/53
Air Rescue Website
On Tue, 25 Aug 1998
"Anthony C. Santore" Email addresst wrote:
I have put up a website which tells the story of the Air Rescue
Service in Korea and Japan from 1950 to 1957. Although it is not
complete, it contains a lot of information about a number of
organizations, including the 3rd Air Rescue Group, and the following
Air Rescue Squadrons: 1st Det, 3rd ARS; 2157th, 33rd, 36th, 37th,
38th, 39th, and 60th, as well as the 121st Evac Hospital. I have
virtually nothing about the 121st and am still looking.
I have recently found and ordered about 6 microfilms about the Air
Rescue Service. Given the slowness of government document-providers,
I don't know when I'll have them.
Air Rescue Website
SA16
On Wed, 17 Dec 1997
Updated: 11 Nov 1999
Arthur Robbins Email address wrote:
2722 Preston Dr.
mt. view, ca 94040
member of 3rd air rescue sq. from 10-49 to 3-52. radio operator on
SA16. Yokota afb, johnson afb and ashiya afb. Also k-2, k-9 and k-16.
HQ
On Tue, 18 Nov 1997
Donald Linker wrote:
29 Country Lane
Wright City, MO 63390
Telephone: (314)456-2656
Comments:
I was stationed at Johnson Air Force Base in Japan in headquarters
third air rescue group from 1951-1953.
Fred S. Kirby
On Sun, 3 May 1998
Kris & Rob Kirby Email address wrote:
At one point you said you had a contact in the 3rd Air Sea Rescue. On
12 Apr 51, my uncle, Fred S. Kirby, went down in a B-29 at 38:45 N
124:50 E (or 124:32 E). My Uncle was in 93rd Squadron of 19th Bomb Group
3rd Air Sea Rescue reported 2 large rafts, 1 small raft, and debris but
no survivors in rafts. I was hoping you could put me in touch with
someone connected to 3rd ASR.
Have been in contact with the Air Force Personnel Center. No news, and
doubt if there ever will be. Was hoping that would be able to give DNA
sample, but they seem to only want brothers/sisters/sister's children.
Take care,
Rob
See also: 93rd Bomb Squadron
3RD AIR RES SQ (DET 1)
Updated: 3/08/99 by editor
MIA 3RD AIR RES SQ (DET 1) 6/25/52 H-5
On Mon, 6 Jul 1998
Jim/Judy Email address wrote:
Dear Sir:
My cousen LESLIE WAYNE LEAR was reported M.I.A on 6-25-52. I was
2 years old and as I grew up I saw the pain that his mother, Aunt Pearl
suffered at each family diner or picnic I always wondered why she was so
sad. Her sister, my grandmother, always told us not to ask. I remember
that one memorial day my Grandmother sewed a gold star pillow cover for
her.
Please let our family know if there is any info about Les. Maybe his mom
can rest in peace.
Update: 11/04/98, Thanks to your POW/MIA we have not only found the
fact's around Leslies death, but we have also been put in contact with
Aunt Pearl's Great Grand Daughter, and his sister! Thank You so much.
For your records Leslie Wayne Lear was piloting a helicopter air
lifting a wounded serviceman when his copter crashed in the D M Z or
near it, we had the year of death wrong it was 1954. The patient & the
corpman survived the crash. Again God Bless You & the work your doing.
Thanks Jim Hollenbeck jijuholl@cyberhighway.net
