Second rotation of Rescue Wing Airmen depart for war

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Helicopter aviator, maintenance and support Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing departed today to replace the Rescue Airmen who left in May. This is the second rotation for the year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft arrived today to transport the Reservists and their equipment overseas.

"We have been a part of the war from the beginning. This will be our fourth tour to Afghanistan since September 11, 2001," said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th Rescue Wing Commander.

Wing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, as well as the Air Force Reservists will deploy for four-month rotations through 2012. The helicopters are traded out throughout the deployment to keep them up-to-date on maintenance and repairs.

Along with Rescue Wing Airmen, Team Patrick personnel are providing vital support to help get the Reservists on their way to include: aircraft fueling and cargo loading, as well as passenger, aircrew and cargo transportation, mobility bag issue, airfield operations support, weapons storage and issue, and if needed, aircraft spare parts and accountability.

Once in place, Rescue Wing Airmen will be tasked with saving 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.

During their last yearlong deployment in 2009, tasked to support MEDEVAC operations in Afghanistan, Rescue Reservists were credited with more than 300 saves. A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight (LLE).

"These crews train hard and are ready to go out and save lives," said Colonel Macrander.

In 2005, Airmen from the 920RQW were credited with saving the life of Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell who was the lone survivor of an operation resulting in the largest loss of life in the Special Forces community since the Viet Nam War.

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

While similar, MEDEVAC missions are a lot more frequent. Two to four missions a day or more are the norm.

The Wing has a 50-year history of saving lives, and the Airmen here have rescued nearly 1,500 personnel in peacetime and in combat. They live by the motto, "these things we do that others may live."

During peacetime, the 920th RQW is also tasked as the primary rescue force for NASA astronauts prior to, and during lift off and return, as well, local civilian search and rescue, and humanitarian relief.

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.