The things they do...

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affaris
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What does it take to keep six helicopters and three airplanes in immaculate condition? A crew of about 350 full time Airmen and Traditional Reservists and a lot of hard work.

The 920th Rescue Wing here has a talented group of hard working maintenance Airmen on call at a moment's notice to make sure that the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130P/N Kings are well maintained and ready to fly.

"It's a daily, hourly endeavor here to keep these aircraft up-to-date," said Col. Charlene Nelson, 920 RQW Maintenance Commander. "It wouldn't happen without the skills and knowledge of our maintenance crews out on the flight line."

The Kings, built in 1964 and '65, and the Pave Hawks built in 1990 and '91, have not only old age working against them, but a salty environment as well. In fact, most aircraft are washed every 120 days. Here, the Kings and Pave Hawks are washed thoroughly every month.

"The salt in the air and our continual flying and working over the ocean ages the fleet even that much more. We have to be aware of every part of these aircraft," said Chief Master Sgt. Randall Becker, 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Superintendent.

Every time one of the rescue helicopters flies, its pre and post flight inspections take around 2 to 3 hours, said Chief Becker.

"We push our old airframes with a demanding flying schedule and little manpower," said Chief Becker.

The motto of the 920th RQW, "These things we do, that others may live," is in the forefront of every Rescue Reservists thought. From the preflight inspections to the post flight cleanup and inspection, the mission of these Airmen and the aircraft they work on is a potential life saved.

Keeping these aircraft flying and maintained means we are that much closer to a life saved, said Chief Becker.

For more information on the 920th Rescue Wing and its aircraft, check out the website and find us onFacebook and Twitter.