 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
| 102nd Rescue Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1915–1917; 1917–1919; 1921-1922; 1922–1944; 1947–1952; 1952–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  New York |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Combat Rescue |
| Part of | New York Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York |
| Nickname(s) | Air National Guard's Oldest Unit |
| Motto(s) | That Others May Live |
| Equipment | HC-130J |
| Engagements | Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lt Col Sean B. Garell |
| Notable commanders | George A. Vaughn Jr. |
| Insignia | |
| Unit patch |  |
| Heritage patch |  |
| Tail Code | LI |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Transport | HC-130J Combat King II |
The 102nd Rescue Squadron (102 RQS) is a unit of the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York. The 102nd is equipped with the HC-130J Combat King II transport aircraft.
The squadron is a descendant organization of the World War I 102nd Aero Squadron, established on 23 August 1917. Its origins begin however, on 30 April 1908 as the 1st Aero Company, a pre-World War I independent unit of the New York National Guard. After the war, the unit was reformed on 7 November 1921 as the 102nd Observation Squadron, and is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.
The 102nd Rescue Squadron is the oldest unit of the Air National Guard, with over a century of service to the state of New York and the United States.[2]
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).
- ^ "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 30 November 2020. (search)
- ^ "ANG Heritage: Missions, Wars and Operations". Air National Guard Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 26 November 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.