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History Of The Ranger Program

            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 from the late 1940’s to 1970. In 1953 USAF Para rescue and survival instructors trained PAWG SAR teams at Westover AFB, Massachusetts. Due to the dedication, motivation, and high quality of 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 Ranger School gained national prominence.

             In the 1960’s 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 was an Airborne Ranger shoulder insignia worn in place of the PAWG shoulder insignia.

            In 1974 Brig. General Leslie Westberg, the National Commander, attended the Hawk Mountain Ranger School. He completed requirements for, and was awarded the Ranger First Class. General Westberg tasked national Headquarters staff to document emergency services training and to recognize and link together various related schools across the United States. Through the 1970’s there were National Ranger Schools held at Hawk Mountain, the Everglades in Florida, Black River Mississippi. Col Bartolo Ortiz developed Ranger Schools in Puerto Rico. National Emergency Assistance Training (NEAT) schools were the official designation, recognized by the insignia worn on the breast pocket. Washington Wing Challenger School was also qualified as a NEAT school, and several of their staff trained at Hawk Mountain Ranger School.

            In the early 1980’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. General Richard Anderson, CAP former National Commander, visited the Hawk Mountain Ranger School in July 1996, and recognized its lasting contributions.

            To this day, in the National Search and Rescue Manual, Air Force pararescuemen are first considered for supervision of ground search teams. “Specialized teams such as Army, Navy, and Air Force explosive ordinance (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.