Located on Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, the 920th Rescue Wing is the Air Force Reserve Command's only combat search and rescue unit. The wing is responsible for a demanding and compelling array of missions, requiring its Rescue Airmen to maintain a high level of proficiency, ready to deploy at moment’s notice. The unit’s peacetime missions include search and rescue support for civilians in distress at sea, in the desert or upon mountains. Additionally, the wing provides worldwide humanitarian relief, supporting rescue efforts in the aftermath of disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

With over 35 deployments and mobilizations since 1990, the men and women that comprise the wing's 28 subordinate groups and squadrons and across three geographically separated units, have more than 4,000 saves and counting. The wing has been mobilized for the Gulf War and many operations such as Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, Allied Force, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, etc.

In addition to their main combat mission, the 920th RQW has also been a mainstay in humanitarian relief. Some of these special taskings include: 
-1992: Rescuing 137 South Florida residents in the days following Hurricane Andrew.
-1993: The rescue of 93 elderly residents from rising flood waters at a Tampa-area retirement community.
-1999: Saving more than 200 people after Hurricane Floyd.
-2005: Pulling 1,043 people from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to safety after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
-2005:
-2008: Rescuing 17 people from the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in Texas 
-2017: Bringing to safety 235 victims of the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas.
-2010: Saving more than 200 people after multiple avalanches hit the Salang Pass, the main route between northern Afghanistan and Kabul province. 

Additionally, as part of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, the wing's Airmen have been part of several successful search and rescues, as well as anti-pirate activity, through their ongoing deployments supporting Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and JTF-HOA through today.

The geographically separated units that fall under the 920th Rescue Wing are located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Graphic depicting the 920th Rescue Wing shield significance