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==History==
==History==


The 303d performed [[search and rescue]] (SAR), as well as [[Aeromedical Evacuation|medical evacuation]] missions, in the [[Southwestern United States]] and occasionally into [[Central America]] from, 1956-1985. During this period the squadron also performed escort missions for aircraft deploying to the [[Pacific]]. Its mission changed to [[airlift]] in 1985 in addition to also providing [[fire-fighting]] support to the [[U.S. Forest Service]] in the [[Western U.S.]] from, 1985-1993. Beginning in 1997 the 303d once again trained for combat search and rescue and SAR and helicopter [[aerial refueling]] missions primarily in the [[Northwestern United States]].<ref name="AFHRA 303 RQS Page">[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0303rqs.html AFHRA 303 RQS Page]</ref>
The 303d performed [[search and rescue]] (SAR), as well as [[Aeromedical Evacuation|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 [[airlift]] in 1985, in addition to also providing [[fire-fighting]] support to the [[U.S. Forest Service]] in the [[Western U.S.]] from 1985 to 1993.
Beginning in 1997 the 303d once again trained for combat search and rescue and SAR and helicopter [[aerial refueling]] missions primarily in the [[Northwestern United States]].<ref name="AFHRA 303 RQS Page">[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0303rqs.html AFHRA 303 RQS Page]</ref> Members of the 303rd were mobilized and deployed to Italy from May - August 1999 in support of Operation Allied Force.
Members of the 303rd were mobilized and deployed to Italy from May - August 1999 in support of Operation Allied Force.


The unit was inactivated in 2003 when the 939 RQW changed missions and became the [[939th Air Refueling Wing]].
The unit was inactivated in 2003 when the 939 RQW changed missions and became the [[939th Air Refueling Wing]].


The unit was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary squadron for rotational Air Force Reserve HH-60G Pave Hawk units at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.<ref>https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/8407/father-son-share-pride-passion-patriotism-deployment</ref>
The unit was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary squadron for rotational Air Force Reserve [[HH-60 Pave Hawk|HH-60G Pave Hawk]] units at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.<ref>https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/8407/father-son-share-pride-passion-patriotism-deployment</ref>


===Operations===
===Operations===

Revision as of 07:54, 26 April 2017

303d Rescue Squadron
303d Rescue Squadron Patch
Active8 October 1956 – 30 June 1993
15 April 1997 - 1 April 2003
1 February 2013 - Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeSearch and Rescue
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Garrison/HQPortland 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 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]

Until 2003, the then 303d Rescue Squadron (303 RQS) was an HC-130 Hercules "Combat King" squadron, part of the 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 BRAC process, the 939 ARW was itself inactivated in June 2008.

Mission

Combat search and rescue (CSAR and personnel recovery (PR) 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 airlift in 1985, in addition to also providing fire-fighting support to the U.S. Forest Service in the Western U.S. from 1985 to 1993.

Beginning in 1997 the 303d once again trained for combat search and rescue and SAR and helicopter aerial refueling missions primarily in the Northwestern United States.[4] Members of the 303rd were mobilized and deployed to Italy from May - August 1999 in support of Operation Allied Force.

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

The unit was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary squadron for rotational Air Force Reserve HH-60G Pave Hawk units at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.[5]

Operations

Lineage[4]

  • 303d Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1966)
  • 303d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966–1985)
  • 303d Tactical Airlift Squadron (1985–1992)
  • 303d Airlift Squadron (1992–1997)
  • 303d Rescue Squadron (1997–2003)
  • 303d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (2013-present)

Assignments[4]

Bases stationed[4]

Aircraft Operated[4]

See also

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. ^ a b c d e AFHRA 303 RQS Page
  5. ^ https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/8407/father-son-share-pride-passion-patriotism-deployment

Bibliography

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