301st Rescue Squadron

The 301st Rescue Squadron (301 RQS) is part of the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

History
The 301st has trained for combat search and rescue (CSAR) capability since its inception. It has performed search and rescue and medical evacuation missions primarily over land areas of and water areas off Florida. Between 1979 and 1997 the squadron also had helicopter air refueling capability. It has provided rescue coverage for space shuttle launches since 1981, and launch support at the Eastern Test Range since 1993. The 301st deployed crews to provide SAR coverage worldwide, including to Keflavík, Iceland, during and after the Gulf War, and to the Persian Gulf area since 1993.

Lineage

 * 301st Air Rescue Squadron (1956–1966)
 * 301st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1967–1990)
 * 301st Air Rescue Squadron (1990–1992)
 * 301st Rescue Squadron (1992–Present)

Assignments

 * 2585th Air Reserve Flying Training Center (1956–1958)
 * 2586 Air Reserve Flying Training Center (1958–1960)
 * 14th Air Force (1960)
 * 3rd Air Force Reserve Region (1960–1969)
 * Western Air Force Reserve Region (1972–1976)
 * 403d Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1976–1987)
 * 939th Rescue Wing (1987–1997)
 * 920th Rescue Wing (1997–Present)

Bases stationed

 * Miami International Airport, Florida (1956–1960)
 * Homestead Air Force Base, Florida (1960–1993)
 * Operated From: Tamiami Airport, Florida (August - December 1992)
 * Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (1997–Present)

Aircraft Operated

 * HU-16 Albatross (1956–1973)
 * HH-34 Choctaw (1971–1974, 1975)
 * HH-1 Iroquois (1973–1979)
 * CH-3E Jolly Green Giant (1974–1991)
 * HC-130 Hercules (1979–1997)
 * HH-3E Jolly Green Giant (1987–1991)
 * HH-60 Pave Hawk (1991–Present)