303d Rescue Squadron

303d Rescue Squadron

303d Rescue Squadron Patch
Active 8 October 1956 – 30 June 1993
15 April 1997 - 1 April 2003
1 February 2013 - Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Search and Rescue
Part of Air Force Reserve Command
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Garrison/HQ Portland International Airport
Decorations AFOUA

The 303d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (303 ERQS) is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit permanently deployed to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. It was reactivated in 2013 as a forward deployed umbrella organization for rotational HH-60 Pave Hawk and pararescue/Guardian Angel combat search and rescue (CSAR) units of the Air Force Reserve deployed to U.S. Africa Command, specifically to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).[1][2][3]

From 1997 until 2003, the then-303d Rescue Squadron (303 RQS) was an HC-130 Hercules "Combat King" squadron, part of the Air Force Reserve Command's 939th Rescue Wing (939 RQW) at Portland Air Reserve Station at Portland International Airport, Oregon. When the 939th transitioned to an air refueling mission with the KC-135 Stratotanker and became the 939th Air Refueling Wing (939 ARW), the 303d was disestablished. As part of the 2005 BRAC process, the 939 ARW was itself inactivated in June 2008.

Mission

Combat search and rescue (CSAR), personnel recovery (PR), and aeromedical evacuation (AE) capability for USAFRICOM, AFAFRICA and CJTF-HOA, to include a rescue alert mission, utilizing the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.

History

The 303d performed search and rescue (SAR), as well as medical evacuation missions, in the Southwestern United States and occasionally into Central America from 1956 to 1985. During this period the squadron also performed escort missions for aircraft deploying to the Pacific. Its mission changed to tactical and theater airlift with the C-130 Hercules in 1985, to include also providing aerial fire-fighting utilizing the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) in support to the U.S. Forest Service in the Western U.S. from 1985 to 1993.

Beginning in 1997, the 303d transitioned back to the HC-130 Hercules and once again trained for combat search and rescue and SAR and helicopter aerial refueling missions, primarily in the Northwestern United States, augmented by periodic overseas deployments augmenting the Regular Air Force.[4] Members of the 303rd were mobilized and deployed to Italy from May - August 1999 in support of Operation Allied Force.

The 303 RQS was inactivated in 2003 when the 939 RQW changed missions and became the 939th Air Refueling Wing.

The 303d was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary rescue squadron for rotational Air Force Reserve HH-60G Pave Hawk and pararescue/Guardian Angel units deployed to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti in support of CJTF-HOA.[5]

Lineage[4]

Assignments[4]

Bases stationed[4]

Aircraft Operated[4]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/7736/303rd-expeditionary-rescue-squadron-arrives-unloads-helos
  2. ↑ https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/10599/csar-a-legacy-continues
  3. ↑ http://www.dm.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/666380/csar-a-legacy-continues/
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 AFHRA 303 RQS Page
  5. ↑ https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/8407/father-son-share-pride-passion-patriotism-deployment

Bibliography

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