1956 - 302 Air Rescue Squadron ( 302 ARS ), Air Force Reserve (AFRES)
1966 - 302 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron ( 302 ARRS )
1974 - 302 Special Operations Squadron ( 302 SOS )
1987 - 302 Tactical Fighter Squadron ( 302 TFS )
The 302nd Rescue Squadron flew HU-16B Albatross aircraft before being transferred to the Air Force Reserve. In 1971 they received HH-34J Choctaw (refurbished SH/UH-34J Seabat) helicopters. The unit transitioned into HH-3E Jolly Green Giants and UH-1H Hueys in 1974.
1966 - 302 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron ( 302 ARRS )
1974 - 302 Special Operations Squadron ( 302 SOS )
1987 - 302 Tactical Fighter Squadron ( 302 TFS )
The 302nd Rescue Squadron flew HU-16B Albatross aircraft before being transferred to the Air Force Reserve. In 1971 they received HH-34J Choctaw (refurbished SH/UH-34J Seabat) helicopters. The unit transitioned into HH-3E Jolly Green Giants and UH-1H Hueys in 1974.
1950s My Father flew with this squadron in the Air Force reserves out of Luke Air Force Base. He flew the HU-16B Albatross. He died in 1960. I am trying to find information about my father as I was 12 when he died
1966 Robert Gilbert, I joined the 302 at Luke as an aircraft mechanic and later became a crew chief working on the HU-16s. In 1968, I transferred to the 304 SOS at March AFB, where I I started training as a Flight Engineer on The C-97s. while with the 304th , I had the pleasure of being a member of a flight crew sent to Hickam AFB as a back-up rescue crew for the Apallo 11 astronauts at splash down. Thankfully all went well and our services were not called for. It was a highlight of my 6 years in the AF.. After a year with the 304th I returned to the 302 SOS at Luke. Our HU-16s were getting old, and obsolete, and the squadron switched to Hueys.. I chose to get out of the AF in 1972, as I didn't want to retrain, and my time was up. During my 6 years in service we were supposed to deploy twice to Vietnam, but for reasons unknown to me the Squadron was told to stand down. so I (we) got lucky. Now live in Flagstaff, Az. v -
1969-1972, I was at Luke from in the reserves as a Reciprocating Engine Mechanic both the Albatross and Choctaw had the same engine. As for pilots the one I remember one who worn an orange flight suit and the mannerisms of Dino.
Late 70s, I was assigned to the 302 SOS as a flight Medic at Luke AFB flying HH-3E and UH-1H Hueys. Dale Day.
Late 70s, I was assigned to the 302 SOS in maint. at Luke AFB. Joyce
1985-1987, I worked in the 302d SOS Reserve Unit at Luke Air Base, AZ. The Commander was Lt Col Richard Davis. I worked for the Director of Operations (DO) Maj Thomas W. Spencer. The guys were flying the CH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter. They flew rescue missions, military special training flights and flew missions with the Navy Seals using Night Vision Goggles (NVG). I was the Secretary to the DO. Winona Cox
The 302nd SOS was still flying in 1990-1991. They deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I was with Base Flight at Luke from 1977-1985 on the UH-1s. I dont recall all the tail numbers over the years, but 6625 and 6648 were Ps. 6620 was an F. 493 was a P and is a static display in the Hurlburt Field Airpark.
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302nd SOS List of helicopters |
C/N | Version | Built | In this Org | In other Org | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
58-915 | hss-1n | 145678 : USAF, ex USN 145678; 1971 302nd ARS | 145678 | ||||
58-1272 w/o 1984 | hss-1n | 148014 : USAF, ex USN 148014; 1971 304th ARS; to 302nd ARS | 148014 - C-GMMR | ||||
58-1278 | hss-1n | 148019 : USAF, ex USN 148019; 1971 302nd ARS | 148019 | ||||
58-1313 | hss-1n | 148938 : rts & xfer NARF Pensacola, FL, 22APR71; redesig HH-34J, unk; xfer 302nd AR+ | 148938 | ||||
58-1326 | hss-1n | 148942 : USAF, ex USN 148942; 1971-1974 302nd ARS | 148942 - N942HH - 148942 | ||||
58-1343 | hss-1n | 148953 : USAF, ex USN 148953; 1971 302nd ARS | 148953 | ||||
58-1353 | hss-1n | 1961 | 148957 : USAF, ex USN 148957; 1971 302nd ARS | 148957 - TI-SPJ | |||
61-508 | ch-3c | 1963 | 63-9676 : del USAF as CH-3C 63-9676, 31Dec63; conv CH-3E unk; xfer 20th Heli Sq, Udo+ | ||||
61-543 w/o 1989 | ch-3c | 1965 | 65-5692 : Sikorsky S-61R, c/n 61-540, ff?; del USAF as CH-3C 65-5692, 10Jan65; conv + | ||||
61-548 | ch-3c | 1966 | 65-5697 : Sikorsky S-61R, c/n 61-548, ff?; del USAF as CH-3C 65-5697, 09Mar66; conv + | ||||
61-609 | ch-3e | 67-14707 : USAF; Sep78 pictured with 302nd SOS AFRES at Luke AFB, Arizona; conv HH-3E+ | 714707 L82103 |