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All good things must have a beginning. They did not believe that the word "good"  was presumptive, for it was their commitment to save life, not to destroy it, that functioned in time of war, and may have seemed a paradox. The purpose of this organization was to accompany fighter and bomber squadrons, effecting immediate rescue of their crews, whose misfortune may lie in being set adrift on the open sea. In so doing we may not have only save human life but trained and experienced fliers, who can again be at their battle stations with a minimum loss of time. Exclusive of the humanitarian aspect, the monetary saving was not inconsiderable.

It is estimated that the aggregate expense, to the Government, for the training program of an aircrew of ten men, approached a figure in excess of $200,000. In the event of high swells, making water landings impractical, close radio liaison is maintained with surface craft, namely crash boats. Pursuant to the geographic bearings received, these craft located and picked up survivors that are stranded on dinghies, or that are floating in pneumatic life rafts.
Generally speaking, the greatest good that could have been accomplished by a smoothly functioning rescue unit was that of maintaining and sustaining the morale of flying fighter and bomber personnel.

It was no small comfort to be assured that hovering on the edge of battle was a friendly formation, waiting expectantly to pull one out of the "drink", should he be ill-fated in combat. Such peace of mind definitely contributed to the prevention of "war jitters" and "flying fatigue". It was no less reassuring to know that as soon as a ship was abandoned the location has been accurately plotted and a PBY was launched on its "Dumbo" mission, much of the fear of "ditching" is thereby circumvented and the hope of survival made almost a certainty. Like the loaded automatic pistol at the MP's side, the very presence of an Emergency Rescue Squadron promoted the realization that help and protection was there, should the exigency arise. This gave to the airmen an additional measure of confidence, so vital to mental composure, for no man is unafraid. Statements made by those actively engaged in Sea Rescue work, painted vivid portraits of human suffering experienced by men adrift on the ocean for many days, whose misery was exceeded only by their touching demonstrations of appreciation at the time of rescue. The Second Emergency Rescue Squadron was credited with rescuing over 700 downed fliers during their tenure in the South Pacific from the time they arrived in July 1944 until the end of the war in August 1945.

Known as the "Snafu Snatchers", this squadron was the first Army Air Force unit of its kind in the Pacific. In July 1944, it was assigned to the 5th Air Force from which it was transferred  to the 13th Air Force in September 1944. Using OA-10A's (equivalent to Navy PBY-5A's) the Second Emergency Rescue Squadron retrieved over 300 airmen from death or capture during the first six months of its activity. This close up shows the "Snafu Snatchers" nose art painted on the right side of their OA-10A's. "SNAFU" stood for "Situation Normal, All Fouled Up," although another word was usually used for the "F". Rafts with numbers were painted on the opposite side of the fuselage to indicate the crewmen rescued by the aircraft.

See the plaque that was dedicated in September 2002 at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

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