303d Rescue Squadron
| 303d Rescue Squadron | |
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303d Rescue Squadron Patch
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| Active | 8 October 1956 – 30 June 1993 15 April 1997 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Search and Rescue |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command 939th Air Refueling Wing 939th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Portland International Airport |
| Decorations |  AFOUA |
The 303d Rescue Squadron (303 RQS) is part of the 939th Air Refueling Wing based at Portland International Airport, Oregon. It operates HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.
Contents
Mission
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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, 1956-1985. 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.[1] 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 939th RQW changed missions and became an KC-135 Air Refueling Wing.
Operations
Lineage[1]
- 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)
Assignments[1]
- 2347th Air Reserve Flying Center (1956–1958)
- 2350th Air Reserve Flying Center (1958–1960)
- 4th Air Force (1960)
- 6th Air Force Reserve Region (1960–1969)
- Western Air Force Reserve Region (1969–1976)
- 403d Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1976–1985)
- 943d Airlift Group (1985–1993)
- 939th Rescue Wing (1997–2003)
Bases stationed[1]
- Long Beach Municipal Airport, California (1956–1960)
- March Air Force Base, California (1960–1993)
- Portland International Airport, Oregon (1997–2003)
Aircraft Operated[1]
- HU-16 Albatross (1956–1965)
- HC-97 Stratofreighter (1965–1972)
- KC-97 Stratotanker (1965–1966)
- HC-130 Hercules (1972–1985, 1997–2003)
- C-130 Hercules (1984–1993)
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
 Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) |
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