| Unit Name: | 303d Rescue Squadron |
| Dates: | 1956–1993; 1997–2003; 2013–present |
| Role: | Search and Rescue |
| Command Structure: | United States Air Forces Europe |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1] |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 303d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 4 March 1959, reinstated 26 August 1996) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 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.
Combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, and aeromedical evacuation capability for USAFRICOM, AFAFRICA and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), to include a rescue alert mission, utilizing the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.
The 303d performed search and rescue, as well as aeromedical 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 Lockheed C-130 Hercules in 1985, to include also providing aerial fire-fighting utilizing the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System 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 air refueling missions, primarily in the Northwestern United States, augmented by periodic overseas deployments augmenting the regular Air Force.[1] [4] Members of the 303rd were mobilized and deployed to 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.
The 303d was reactivated in 2013 as an expeditionary rescue squadron 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). The squadron replaced Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464) Detachment A.[3]
Activated in the reserve on 8 October 1956
Redesignated 303d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 18 January 1966
Redesignated 303d Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 April 1985[5]
Redesignated 303d Airlift Squadron on 1 February 1992
Inactivated on 30 June 1993
Activated in the reserve on 15 April 1997
Inactivated on 1 April 2003
449th Air Expeditionary Group, c, 5 February 2013[3]