304th Rescue Squadron

304th Rescue Squadron
304th Rescue Squadron Patch
Active	16 November 1957 -
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Search and Rescue
Decorations	AFOUA

The 304th Rescue Squadron (304 RQS) was most recently part of the 939th Rescue Wing at Portland International Airport, Oregon. It operated HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

History

The 304th trained for combat search and rescue (CSAR) capability from its inception. It performed search, rescue, and medical evacuation missions primarily in the Northwestern United States, including over 100 missions immediately following the Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption in May 1980. It maintained helicopter air refueling capability from, 1985–1997 and deployed crews to provide SAR coverage worldwide, including to Keflavík, Iceland, during and after the Gulf War and to the Persian Gulf area from, 1993-. The 304th occasionally provided support for space shuttle launches and to the United States Air Force Weapons School.

Lineage

• 304th Air Rescue Squadron (1957–1966)
• 304th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1967–1990)
• 304th Air Rescue Squadron (1990–1992)
• 304th Rescue Squadron (1992–Present)

Assignments

• 2343d Air Reserve Flying Center (1957)
• 2346th Air Reserve Flying Center (1957–1958)
• 2345th Air Reserve Flying Center (1958–1960)
• 4th Air Force (1960)
• 6th Air Force Reserve Region (1960–1969)
• Western Air Force Reserve Region (1969–1976)
• 403d Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1976–1985)
• 939th Rescue Wing (1985 - )

Bases stationed

• Portland International Airport, Oregon (1957 - )

Aircraft Operated

• HU-16 Albatross (1958–1971)
• HH-34 Choctaw (1971–1976)
• HH-1 Iroquois (1976–1991)
• UH-1 Iroquois (1979–1987)
• HC-130 Hercules (1985–1997)
• HH-3 Sea King (1986–1992)
• CH-3 Sea King (1987–1992)
• MH-60 Black Hawk (1991–1992)
• UH-60 Black Hawk (1991–1993)
• HH-60 Pave Hawk (1992 - )

References

Bibliography

• USAF 304th Rescue Squadron History