| Unit Name: | 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron |
| Dates: | 1 September 1952 – 21 September 1953[1] – present |
| Country: | United States |
| Role: | Search and Rescue |
| Command Structure: | United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa |
| Garrison: | Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti |
| Nickname: | Guardian Angel squadron[3] |
| Battles: | Global War on Terrorism |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Patch worn by a squadron member in 2022 |
The 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (82 ERQS) is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force (USAF), assigned to the 449th Air Expeditionary Group. It has been stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti since at least 2007.[4] The squadron is made up of pararescue personnel, mainly to conducting search and rescue, serving as US Air Forces Africa's personnel recovery liaison to United States Africa Command's Warfighter Recovery Network. Having previously used Lockheed HC-130 aircraft of another air force unit, the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, the squadron was training jumps from United States Marine Corps Lockheed Martin KC-130J aircraft.[5] [6] The squadron does not operate any aircraft. As a deployed unit, the squadron's personnel come from other units of the United States Air Force, such as the 31st Rescue Squadron, members of which made up the 82nd ERQS in 2010.[3]
Activated on 1 September 1952
Inactivated on 21 September 1953
Redesignated 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and converted to provisional status on 14 April 2003[1]
Activated at some point between 14 April 2003 and 2 September 2007[4]