Part of Ala 48 (48 Wing). Unit history:
1954 as 53 Escuadrilla de Salvamento
1957 as 57 Escuadrilla de Salvamento
1963 as 57 Escuadron de Salvamento
1965 as 803 escuadron de Salvamento
1967 as Escuadron 803 By the year 2000, Escuadron 803 area of responsibility for Search & Rescue covers the Madrid Flight Information Region (FIR), which is coordinated from the
Madrid Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) for the central and western part of Spain.
Between 2005 and 2013, the Ala 48 ( 48 Wing ) deployed 3 HD.21 (AS332 Super Puma) helicopters to Afghanistan as HELISAF detachment part of NATO ISAF mission. Based at Herat they flew 6000 hours performing more than 1200 CasEvac and MedEvac sorties.
From January 1st, 2015 mission changed to Resolute Support with Spanish Air Force still operating the Herat airbase and military hospital.