Rescue Airmen return home after saving lives

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  After five months of saving lives in Afghanistan, approximately 70 Reserve Airman from the 920th Rescue Wing here returned home Feb. 6 and 7.

As part of a combat-search-and-rescue team, the Airmen were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

They served as helicopter pilots, aircrew, pararescuemen, maintenance and support personnel as part of the 920th's year-long deployment to save lives by using their skills and equipment to perform combat rescue and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations - picking up the injured from combat zones to get them to treatment facilities.

During this rotation, the reservists are credited with flying more than 726 rescue missions; successfully saving 490 lives; and assisting in saving another 458 lives.

A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight (LLE).

The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing service members isolated or injured in combat - such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines or combatants injured on the battlefield.

This deployment was one of many for the Rescue Reservists. Operational requirements remain high due to the nature of this mission.

Nearly 100 Airmen from the wing remain deployed in various locations throughout the world.

For more information about the 920th RQW, log on to the wing's Web site: www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.