305th Rescue Squadron
The 305th Rescue Squadron is part of the 943rd Rescue Group at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, a subordinate of the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. It operates Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk and HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft conducting peacetime and combat search and rescue missions.
| 305th Rescue Squadron | |
|---|---|
306th Rescue Squadron PJs evacuate simulated casualty to 305th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk | |
| Active | 1958–1992; 1993– present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Search and Rescue |
| Size | 46 (12 full time, 34 traditional reservists) |
| Motto(s) | Anytime Anywhere |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 305th Rescue Squadron emblem (approved 16 August 1967) | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60W Jolly Green II |
The 305th was originally activated at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan in 1958 as the 305th Air Rescue Squadron. It trained for and performed search and rescue operations, primarily in the upper midwestern United States, from 1958 until 1992. It deployed personnel worldwide to support active duty forces and was called to active duty for eighteen months after the USS Pueblo incident. In 1985, a squadron crew earned the Koran Kolligan, Jr. Trophy, the highest safety award in the Air Force, for successfully landing their severely disabled HH-3 helicopter. The squadron was inactivated in 1992 and its aircraft transferred to the active Air Force or to storage.
The unit was again activated the following year at Davis–Monthan, where it was equipped with HH-60s in 1994. It has participated in most major operations in Southwest Asia since that date. It also flew rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina and is the only United States Air Force rescue unit that is capable of operating from ships.