1956 to 1987


usa 302d Special Operations Squadron

US Air Force

302nd SOS




302d Special Operations Squadron
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.




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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  Locations


YearsLocationICAO/FAA
1960/87Luke AFBKLUF




helicopter   Models


Years Models
1974/87 S-61 H-3
1974/87 HH-1H Iroquois
1971/74 S-58 H-34 HH-34J Choctaw




302nd SOS List of helicopters


C/N VersionBuiltIn this Org In other Org
58-915 hss-1n 145678 : USAF, ex USN 145678; 1971 302nd ARS
US Navy 145678
58-1272 w/o 1984 hss-1n 148014 : USAF, ex USN 148014; 1971 304th ARS; to 302nd ARS
US Navy 148014
- C-GMMR
58-1278 hss-1n 148019 : USAF, ex USN 148019; 1971 302nd ARS
US Navy 148019
58-1313 hss-1n 148938 : rts & xfer NARF Pensacola, FL, 22APR71; redesig HH-34J, unk; xfer 302nd AR+
US Navy 148938
58-1326 hss-1n 148942 : USAF, ex USN 148942; 1971-1974 302nd ARS
US Navy 148942
- N942HH
- 148942
58-1343 hss-1n 148953 : USAF, ex USN 148953; 1971 302nd ARS
US Navy 148953
58-1353 hss-1n 1961 148957 : USAF, ex USN 148957; 1971 302nd ARS
US Navy 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+
US Navy 714707
Tunisian Air Force L82103







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