188th Rescue Squadron: Key Player in New Mexico Air National Guard Missions

The 188 RQS works with our Total Force partners from the 58th Special Operations Wing to execute the flying portion of the Personnel Recovery initial skills training. This trying encompasses airborne receiver/tanker refueling operations, equipment and personnel airdrop, airborne communication and more, which creates mission-ready aircrew to Air Combat Command, National Guard Bureau and Air Force Reserve Command.

“The 188th Rescue Squadron provides world class Personnel Recovery training for all total force HC-130J and HH-60W crewmembers,” said Lt Col Jonathan Watford, Commander, 188th Rescue Squadron “And with the news of the recent high-risk rescue executed in Iran, it reinforced how critical this mission and training is to the Combatant Commanders.”

Core Capabilities:

• Train Personnel Recovery aircrew ranging from civil search and recovery to meeting worldwide combat Personnel Recovery taskings
• Responsible for 204 aircrew trained annually between the HC-130J and HH-60W
• Executes 4,431 combined flight hours annually

The New Mexico Air National Guard couldn’t execute its mission without the exceptional work of the 188th Rescue Squadron.