Air Force Guardian Angels, NASA partner up for historic shuttle launch

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Natasha Dowridge
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With the last space shuttle launch just hours away, Reserve Rescue Wing Airmen here teamed up with NASA to put the finishing touches on their ongoing training for the launch.

Guardian Angel Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing here assembled with flight doctors from various military bases throughout the nation for a hands-on medical briefings to address the minute variances of rescuing astronauts if an incident occurred prior to or during lift off.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis crew is scheduled to launch at 11:26 a.m., Friday July 8.

The briefing and training is done just prior to every shuttle mission to support the crew during launch and landing. It normally includes information on their special gear and the NASA-specific communication equipment used by the military medical team in the event of an emergency.

The Guardian Angels are the most versatile personal recovery specialists in the world skilled in trauma medicine as well as athletics competencies such as SCUBA, swimming and parachuting. If a Mode VIII emergency occurred - and open-ocean bailout of the shuttle, Guardian Angels would parachute to them in an instant providing on-the-spot medical treatment.

"They are very important part of what we need," said Mr. Phil Scarpa, medical operations director, Kennedy Space Center.

Today's briefing included a demonstration of the Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES) or "pumpkin suit" - a full pressure suit currently worn by all space shuttle crews for the ascent and entry portions of flight.

They went over how to properly remove the gear and practiced how to properly remove the helmet and gloves as well as how to extract an astronaut out of the suit.

"We are the designated rescue force should the shuttle go through some catastrophic failure," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Forshaw, 920th RQW reserve pararescueman.

The 920th RQW provides rescue support for all NASA space shuttle missions that lift from nearby Kennedy Space Center into near Earth orbit.

Although this is not Sergeant Forshaw's first shuttle launch, he said that this one is "monumental and historic."

Ties between the 920th RQW and NASA will continue despite this being the last shuttle launch.

This is a bittersweet moment for NASA, said Scarpa.

However, the Guardian Angel Team is prepared to respond to this historic launch if needed. 

"We really appreciate the support we get from the guys and gals from the 9202th RQW and Patrick AFB," said Scarpa.

"We know we're getting the best in the world," he said. "NASA wouldn't settle for less."

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