The Old Guard
DETACHMENT 2 – ATLANTIC AIR RESCUE CENTER
ATLANTIC AIR RESCUE and RECOVERY CENTER
40th AIR RESCUE and RECOVERY WING
Det 2 was activated on 8 JAN 1963 at LAON AB, FRANCE, transferred to RAF UPPER HEYFORD, ENGLAND on 8 SEP 1966 and deactivated on 22 MAY 1973.
Three HH-43B aircraft were initially assigned to Laon, AB. They were 62-4537, 62-4538 and 62-4516. After the transfer to RAF Upper Heyford two different aircraft were assigned HH-43B/F 62-4533 and HH-43B/F 62-4535. Initial Call Signs of “Firebird 1” & “2” were later changed to “PEDRO 21”& “22” and “HINDER 01” & “02”.
The following major TDYs were performed by DET2 personnel and aircraft: From 15AUG 1963 to 14 OCT 1963, crammed aboard a single C-130, Detachment Aircraft and Crews deployed to Dhahran and Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia as part of “OPERATION HARD SURFACE”. In late OCT 1963, 62-4537 along with her crew deployed to Chambley AB, France to cover “OPERATION BIG LIFT”. From June 7 to June 17 1964, 62-4537 & 4538 were deployed aboard a C-124 to Royal Norwegian Air Station Orland in support of “OPERATION NORTHERN EXPRESS”. On 15 JUL 1966, HH-43Bs 62-4516 and 62-4537 departed on a Classified TDY to Shangri-La*** in S.E.A. Returning in OCT 1966, the crews and aircraft were reassigned to DET9, RAF Wethersfield. During FEB 1970, using three C-130s the Detachment with both aircraft deployed to BODO AB, Norway in support of ”OPERATION ARCTIC EXPRESS”.
DET2 40th ARRW RAF Upper Heyford England
