Reserve Rescue Beginning in 1956, the 303rd Air Rescue Squadron performed
Grumman SA-16 Albatross,
Boeing HC-97 Stratofreighter and
Lockheed HC-130 search and rescue, as well as
aeromedical evacuation missions, in the Southwestern United States and occasionally Central America until 1985. During this period the squadron also performed escort missions for aircraft deploying to the
Pacific.
Tactical Airlift In 1985, the 303rd mission changed to tactical and intratheater
airlift with C-130B Hercules airlifting troops, supplies, equipment world-wide, and performing aeromedical evacuations. The 303rd TAS also conducted aerial fire-fighting missions utilizing the
Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System in support to the
U.S. Forest Service in the Western U.S. from 1985 to 1993.
Return to Rescue Reactivated in 1997, the 303d transitioned back to the HC-130P Combat King, relocating to
Portland Air National Guard Base and gaining aircraft from the
304th Rescue Squadron. Once again training for combat search and rescue, SAR and helicopter
air refueling missions, primarily in the Northwestern United States, augmented by periodic overseas deployments augmenting the regular Air Force. Members of the 303rd RQS were mobilized and deployed to
Brindisi Airport, Italy from May - August 1999 in support of
Operation Allied Force. The 303d was inactivated in 2003 when the 939th Rescue Wing changed missions and became the
939th Air Refueling Wing.
Expeditionary Search & Rescue The 303d was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary rescue squadron (ERQS) for rotational Air Force Reserve
Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk and pararescue/Guardian Angel units deployed to
Camp Lemonier, Djibouti in support of
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). In this role, the 303rd ERQS provides
HH-60W Jolly Green II casualty evacuation capabilities to partner forces in the fight against violent extremist organizations in the Horn of Africa, able to land directly to the point of injury and provide life-saving treatment after sustaining life-threatening injuries. The squadron replaced Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 (
HMH-464) Detachment A. ==Lineage==