Lineage. Constituted 304 Air Rescue Squadron on 24 Oct 1957. Activated in the Reserve on 16 Nov 1957. Redesignated: 304 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 18 Jan 1966; 304 Air Rescue Squadron on 1 Apr 1990; 304 Rescue Squadron on 1 Feb 1992. 

Assignments. 2343 Air Reserve Flying Center, 16 Nov 1957; 2346 Air Reserve Flying Center, 1 Dec 1957; 2345 Air Reserve Flying Center, 8 Apr 1958; Fourth Air Force, 8 Apr 1960; Sixth Air Force Reserve Region, 1 Sep 1960; Western Air Force Reserve Region, 31 Dec 1969; 403 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery (later, 403 Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance) Wing, 15 Mar 1976; 939 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (later, 939 Air Rescue Wing; 939 Rescue Wing), 8 Apr 1985; 939 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992-. 

Stations. Portland Intl Aprt (later, ANGB), OR, 16 Nov 1957-. 

Commanders. Lt Col Vernon E. Acker, 16 Nov 1957; Lt Col John A. Forsythe, 19 Jan 1959; Lt Col Ross A. Meredith, 1 Feb 1967; Lt Col George W. Crandall, Mar 1967; Col James D. Beall, 26 Mar 1967; Lt Col George W. Crandall, 1 Nov 1967; Lt Col William R. Stack, Jr., 21 Jan 1968; Lt Col Daniel R. Hitch, 31 May 1969; Lt Col Ross A. Meredith, 7 Jan 1971; Lt Col John A. Forsythe, 1 Feb 1971; Lt Col Ross A. Meredith, 18 Mar 1971; Lt Col James H. Barnard, Mar 1971; Lt Col William L. Siegel, 1 Dec 1972; Lt Col Rollin L. Ratchen, 11 Feb 1973; Col Donald A. Schwannenberg, 20 Oct 1974; Col Thomas M. Jones, Jr., 13 May 1976; Col Deon E. Schroeder, 31 Jul 1981; Lt Col Michael J. Peters, 15 Apr 1983; Lt Col William R. Andresevic, 8 Mar 1985; Lt Col Pinar Crane, Jr., 12 Sep 1985; Lt Col Dean W. Mills, 6 Jan 1990; Lt Col Gene E. Garton, 13 Jul 1991; Lt Col Louis J. Budge, 3 Dec 1994; Lt Col James E. McKinney, Sr., 21 Nov 1997-. 

Aircraft. SA(later, HU)-16, 1958-1971; HH-34, 1971-1976; HH-1, 1976-1991; UH-1, 1979-1987; HC-130, 1985-1997; HH-3, 1986-1992; CH-3, 1987-1992; MH-60, 1991-1992; UH-60, 1991-1993; HH-60, 1992-. 

Operations. Trained for combat search and rescue capability. Performed search, rescue, and medical evacuation missions primarily in the northwestern United States, including over 100 missions immediately following the Mt. St. Helens (Washington) volcanic eruption in May 1980. Maintained helicopter air refueling capability, 1985-1997. Deployed crews to provide SAR coverage worldwide, including to Kevlavik, Iceland, during and after the Gulf War and to the Gulf War area, 1993-. Provided assistance to Florida and its sister squadron (301 Rescue Squadron) following Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Occasionally provided support for space shuttle launches and to the USAF Fighter Weapons School. 

Service Streamers. None. 

Campaign Streamers. None. 

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None. 

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1975-31 Dec 1976; 1 Jul 1977-31 Dec 1978; 18 May-5 Jun 1980; 1 Jul 1984-30 Jun 1986; 1 Sep 1993-31 Aug 1995; 1 Sep 1997-31 Aug 1999. 

Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 23 Aug 2000. 

Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Sep 1998. 

Supersedes statement prepared on 13 Jul 1998. 

Emblem. Approved on 7 Oct 1991. 

Prepared by Judy G. Endicott.

304TH ARRS

TEXT OF HANDOUT AT THE

"GOODBYE TO RESCUE REUNION DINNER" 

HELD IN PORTLAND

IN APRIL 2003

(COURTESY OF FELIX McLARNEY)

BY DOTTIE COLGATE-JOHNSON

LIFT OFF

COURTESY OF FELIX McLARNEY
 

COURTESY OF FELIX McLARNEY
 

304th ARRS MT. ST HELEN'S

MISSION PATCH

COURTESY OF FELIX McLARNEY

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~