303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron

For the 303d Tactical Airlift Squadron stationed at Richards-Gebaur AFB from 1971 to 1982, see 303d Fighter Squadron.

303d Rescue Squadron
303d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron airmen on Camp Lemonnier prepare a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter for shipment
Active1956–1993; 1997–2003; 2013–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSearch and Rescue
Part ofUnited States Air Forces Europe
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
303d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 4 March 1959, reinstated 26 August 1996)[1]
303d Tactical Airlift Squadron emblem (approved c. February 1986)[2]

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

From 1997 until 2003, the then-303d Rescue Squadron was a Lockheed HC-130 Combat King squadron, part of the Air Force Reserve Command's 939th Rescue Wing 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, the 303d was inactivated. As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission process, the 939 ARW was itself inactivated in June 2008.

  1. ^ a b Robertson, Patsy (5 April 2012). "Factsheet 33 Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Agency. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Approved insignia for: 303d Tactical Airlift Squadron". National Archives Catalog. 9 April 1986. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  3. ^ Young, SSG Jonathan (5 February 2013). "303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron arrives, unloads helos". Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Public Affairs. Retrieved 17 August 2017. and Iinuma, SSG Kevin (11 February 2013). "CSAR: A Legacy Continues". Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa Public Affairs. Retrieved 17 August 2017.