A pressure control ventilation system (10) configured to provide airway release ventilation synchronous with a breathing subject that includes a pressure generator (12) configured to generate pressurized flow of breathable gas to a subject, one or more sensors (28) configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or more gas parameters of the pressurized flow, one or more processors (14) configured to execute computer modules comprising: a synchronization module (16) configured to detect inspiratory (39, 45) and expiratory (40, 44, 59) flow phases of the subject based at least on the signals; an interval module (18) configured to define time intervals (54, 60); a control module (20) configured to control the generator to deliver flow fluctuating between a first pressure range (48) to maintain adequate lung volume and a second pressure range (50) to facilitate C02 exhalation, the control including: delivering the flow in the first range at the beginning (56) of a first time interval (54); adjusting the flow from the first to the second range responsive to a detection of a start (42) of a first expiratory flow phase (40) in the first time interval; maintaining the flow at the second range over the first expiratory phase; and maintaining the flow at the first range over a second expiratory phase (44) starting in the first time interval and following the first expiratory phase.