Country United States | Type Search and Rescue | |
 | ||
Active 8 October 1956 – 30 June 1993
15 April 1997 - Present Branch United States Air Force Part of Air Force Reserve Command
939th Air Refueling Wing
939th Operations Group Garrison/HQ Portland International Airport | ||
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.
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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. 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.