The HC-130J is the only dedicated fixed-wing Personnel Recovery platform in the Air Force inventory. It is an extended-range version of the C-130J Hercules transport. Its mission is to rapidly deploy to execute combatant commander directed recovery operations to austere airfields and denied territory for expeditionary, all weather personnel recovery operations to include airdrop, airland, helicopter air-to-air refueling, and forward area ground refueling missions. When tasked, the aircraft also conducts humanitarian assistance operations, disaster response, security cooperation/aviation advisory, emergency aeromedical evacuation, and noncombatant evacuation operations.

The 39th RQS is located in Cocoa Beach, Fl and is the only fixed wing rescue squadron in the US Air Force Reserve. UPT applicants can expect a 2-3 year training pipeline. Once qualified, UPT graduates (as of FY 24) are receiving two year seasoning tour of orders. UCT and LM applicants can expect a 18-24 month training pipeline and two years of seasoning orders as well. (Timelines vary whether the applicant is prior service or not and has to attend basic training/OTS/SERE etc).

All positions are for Traditional Reservist (TR) billets. Opportunities for ART/AGR billets are available as they arise.

The squadron deploys for ~3 months every 18-24 months. New hires are expected to deploy at the first available opportunity and then every other deployment thereafter.