Wing commander and interim command chief see rescue group warriors off to war

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Luke Johnson
  • 943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs
DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 920th Rescue Wing commander's first visit to his geographically separated unit, the 943rd Rescue Group here, was to see his rescue warriors off to war and also offer them words of encouragement as they will be performing dangerous combat-search-and-rescue mission in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

"It's hard to see folks off, but at the same time because they are going over there, we'll be getting some folks home and that's the fun part of the job, getting folks back and knowing that they did a good mission," said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th RQW commander.

The commander and the 920th RQW interim command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Bianchi , interacted with deployers and family members in the rescue group's maintenance hangar prior to their departure.

"The biggest thing is that you are proud to watch these volunteers go do the mission that they love more than anything, nobody was activated it was all volunteers," said Bianchi.
The all-volunteer force from the 943rd RQG will be tasked with 24-hour CSAR support for coalition and joint forces.

"We need our community and family's to understand that this mission is important, that we are bringing injured combatants home who may or not have made is back otherwise," said Bianchi.

The Wing commander emphasized that the group is ready to provide assistance for family members back home that may need it.

"It's important to know that we have resources for families, if you need help let us know. We can get you in touch with support agencies," said Macrander. "We are here to support each other, what were here to do."

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