A loud welcome home for Rescue Airmen deployed to Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Loud cheers, whistles, claps and shouts signified the end of a four-month deployment for about 40 Rescue Warriors as their C-17 Globemaster III aircraft touched down about at 1:30 p.m. here today.

About 100 family, friends, co-workers and leadership were present as the Airmen departed the bus that shuttled them from the large combat aircraft, which carried not only the Reservists, but an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter home from war.

"The warriors we're welcoming home today have been deployed since May. This is the second part of the first group who returned home Monday. They are all group one of three four-month rotations," said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th Rescue Wing commander.

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

"It's one of those bittersweet things. He's helping out with the bigger picture, but missed back at home," said Paul Chalko, Commander of Brevard County Sheriff, said about Tech. Sgt. John McDilda, helicopter crewmember.

McDilda is a Traditional Reservist as a part-time job, but is also an officer for the Brevard County Sheriff's office full-time.

"He has to step up to the plate in both occupations and he does," said Chalko.

During this rotation, the reservists are credited with flying 505 rescue missions; successfully saving 358 lives; and assisting in saving another 287 lives. A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight (LLE).

As the men and women of the 920th Rescue Wing stepped off the bus; they were swarmed by their loved ones.

"This is such a sense of relief," said Mrs. Jennifer Bixler, "He was so very missed." Her husband, Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Bixler, 920th RQW maintenance, was responsible for the care and upkeep of the aircraft while deployed.

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

"We love the support from back home," said Staff. Sgt. Carlous Gillis, 920th RQW Operations Support Group. "While we're out there fighting the fight; getting letters, boxes and packages make it that much better."

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.