302d Special Operations Squadron

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.

Early 70s, Luke AFB, I was in maintenance (Avionics, Flight Control Systems and Fire control) and as part of the flight support team. We transitioned to the HH-3's in late 72, early 73 (I believe). Went on several training sorties to Gila Bend with the hired guns (PJ's), they let me fire the "pig" a few times, and a night drop training exercise on Lake Mead (scary). Night vision back then was primitive. The Airforce had this "World Wide Mobility Status" initiative where we had to be packed up and into C130's within 24HRS. That was fun (not). This was after we transitioned into TAC and SOS. I believe we were in MAC ARRS before that? I helped with evacuation operations during the Doxol disaster (Kingman BLEVE), it was a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion that occurred on July 5, 1973 in Kingman, Arizona. The crater was 1/4 mile wide and threw freight cars over a mile away. We were flying the HH-3's then. I left the 302 sos in 1975. -

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.