USAF Patch Rescue d 4411 RQS P Rescue Squadron Provisional MC 130

USAF Patch 4411 RQS P Rescue Squadron Provisional Crown MC 130 Combat Shadow CSAR 1997 Dhahran AB Saudi Arabia Velcro Embroidered on twill cut edge 103mm by 91mm four and one eighth inches by three and five eighth inches.

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History 

4411 Rescue Squadron Provisional RQS P was activated on 17 June 1991 at Dhahran AB Saudi Arabia assigned to 4404 Composite Wing Provisional equipped with MC 130P Combat Shadow Hercules aircraft to support combat search and rescue CSAR cover for  the front line defence against possible Iraqi aggression after Operation Desert Storm the 1991 Gulf War. The Squadron was manned by personnel on rotational deployments from active service Air National Guard and reserve Rescue units.

The mission transitioned to Operation Southern Watch OSW on 27 August 1992 with the purpose of ensuring Iraqi compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 of 5 April 1991 which demanded that Iraq immediately end armed repression against the Shiite Muslims in Southern Iraq and ensure that the human and political rights of all Iraqi citizens are respected. Although not specifying the implementation of no fly zones OSW followed Operation Provide Comfort was activated in April 1991 to protect Iraqi Kurd population in the North. Forces from Saudi Arabia the United States the United Kingdom and France participated in Operation Southern Watch.

The usual MC 130 Squadron call sign was changed from King to Crown for 4411 RQS Ps deployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 4404 Composite Wing Provisional was redesignated 4404 Wing Provisional on 1 January 1993.

Military engagements occurred with regularity with Coalition aircraft routinely being shot at by Iraqi forces and combat operations undertaken to repress Iraqi aviation and anti aircraft forces with 4411 RQS P providing CSAR cover.

The Squadron was quartered in the Khobar Towers apartment complex Dhahran and lost 5 personnel when terrorists detonated a tanker truck near the eight story building which housed deployed personnel from 4411 Rescue Squadron on 25 June 1996 and although evacuation of the building had commenced 19 US servicemen were killed and 498 of many nationalities injured.

4411 RQS was inactivated on 1 October 1998 with its mission undertaked by the newly formed 9 Expeditionary Rescue Squadron on the inactivation of 4404 Wing Provisional and its replacement with 9 Air Expeditionary Group. Dhahran AB was redesignated King Abdul-Aziz Air Base in 1999.

This patch dates from 1997.