Combat search, rescue assets move to ACC.

A move to shift administrative control of select Air Force combat search and rescue assets from Air Force Special Operations Command to Air Combat Command did not affect Air Force Reserve Command CSAR units.

Air Force Reserve units remain administratively controlled by Air Force Reserve Command. However, the transfer, which took place April 3 as part of a realignment announced in February, does mean that, when fully mobilized, Reserve CSAR units are now gained by ACC instead of AFSOC.

The transfer of administrative control of active-duty units to ACC ensures the Air Force core competency of combat search and rescue is directly linked to the combat air forces and the personnel they support, ACC officials said. It consolidates the management of limited Air Force resources and provides a clearer presentation of force in theater.

Under ACC, CSAR assets can be mobilized faster during a national crisis, integrated into combat training, and tasked to support all air and space expeditionary force rotations, officials said.

The transfer affects most active-duty operational HC-130s and HH-60 Pave Hawks, and most combat rescue officers and pararescuemen, as well as the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Units transferred to ACC will not relocate.

AFRC units affected by the transfer are the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., and the 943rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., and its subordinate squadron, the 304th Rescue Squadron at Portland International Airport, Ore.

CSAR assets and personnel assigned to PACAF and U.S. Air Forces Europe were not be affected by the transfer. (ACC News Service)