The wartime mission of the 210th is combat search and rescue to locate and recover downed fighter pilots.

The 10th had itself inherited the tradition of the 924th Quartermaster Company, Boat (Aviation), a rescue unit which was constituted in Alaska on 14 June 1942, saw action during the Aleutian Island Campaign, was redesigned the 10th Emergency Rescue Boat Squadron on 3 July 1944, and was inactivated on 8 March 1946.

The 72d and 73d were inactivated in September and November 1953 in response to the withdrawal of Air Force units from the Aleutian Islands.

During this period, the 10th ARG became widely known as "The Guardian of the North" and provided support not only to the military but also to the civilian communities.

The search function was performed by specially equipped aircraft and ground vehicles, as well as dog teams which were used occasionally.

Rescue was carried out by several means, including the use of helicopters, amphibious and conventional aircraft, and surface vehicles.

The Alaskan Air Command was assigned everywhere else The 71st ARS, however, was re-designated as the 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 25 Nov 1969 and re-activated on 8 March 1970.

The 210th took delivery of its new Sikorsky HH-60 "Pave Hawk" search and rescue helicopters between June and August 1990 and new Lockheed HC-130 search/tanker aircraft in November and December 1990.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency