Copyright © 2002 the author.

Updated: 02/11/02

In response to the need for ground support for air search missions, the concept of the Ranger Team was born under the leadership of Col Phillip Neuweiler, PAWG Commander form the late 1940's to 1970. In 1952 USAF Pararescue and survival instructors trained PAWG SAR teams at Westover AFB, Massachusetts. Due to the intensity displayed by the students, the instructors called them Rangers. In 1956 the school was moved to Col Neuweiler's property at Hawk Mountain, and was staffed by USAF and CAP members. In the early 1960's Ranger Staff Cadet training was implemented, and the Hawk Mountain Rangers school gained national prominence.

In the 1960's five different Ranger Proficiency grades were established to recognize skill and experience, devised in a similar way to awards for the Boy Scouts of America. In that time, several Ranger Teams had individuals that parachuted into aircraft crash areas. There wan an Airborne Ranger shoulder insignia worn in place of the PAWG shoulder insignia.

In 1974 Brig Gen Leslie Westberg, the National Commander, attended the Hawk Mtn. Ranger School. he completed requirements for, and was awarded Ranger First Class. General Westberg tasked National HQ staff to document ES training and to recognize and link together various related schools across the US. Through the 70's there were National Ranger Schools at Hawk Mtn. PA, the Everglades Florida, Black River Mississippi, and Col Bartolo Ortiz developed Ranger Schools in Puerto Rico. National Emergency Assistance Training (NEAT) schools was the official designation, recognized by a pocket NEAT insignia. Washington Wing Challenger School was also NEAT, and several of their staff trained at Hawk Mtn. Ranger School.

In the early 80's, the Airborne Ranger shoulder insignia was replaced with a Search and Rescue insignia. Search effectiveness was compromised by CAP adoption of the BDU. The Orange hat, and colorful Ranger insignia became even more practical. Brig Gen Richard Anderson, CAP National Commander, visited the Hawk Mtn. Ranger School in July 1996 and recognized its lasting contributions.

To this day, in the National SAR Manual, Air Force Pararescuemen are first considered for supervision of ground search teams. "Specialized teams such as Army, Navy, and Air Force explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) teams, Navy sea-air-land (SEAL) teams, or CAP Ranger teams should be considered next."

The Hawk Mountain Ranger School and the Pennsylvania Wing Ranger Program has been the model for many of the search and rescue programs throughout the country. It continues to be the single longest running school of search and rescue.

- from the Hawk Mountain Ranger School manual.