The Air Force has increased the size of its deployment of combat search and rescue forces in Iraq, making the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron the largest CSAR outfit since the Vietnam War, reports the Red Tail Flyer. The squadron is larger than rescue squadrons in the US. Recently the 64th ERQS added five additional HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, nearly tripling the unit’s aircraft. The number of aircrew, pararescue jumpers, and combat rescue officers has grown as well to sustain a 24/7 operation. Their mission also expanded to cover not just downed aircrews but also special operations missions.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
