PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Kindergartners from a central Florida elementary school pose for a photo on the flightline here Feb. 25 with an HC-130P/N King aircraft in the background. The day after space shuttle Discovery's last lift off, students spent several hours learning how Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing are on alert to rescue astronauts during space shuttle lift offs. The 920th RQW is an Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue unit here, but also serves as the primary rescue force for NASA astronauts during lift offs and returns. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Cathleen Snow)

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PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Space Coast kindergartners swarm around Maj. Dave Anderson, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot, Feb. 25 as he shows the kids how the aircraft are used to rescue astronauts during space shuttle lift offs and landings if called upon. Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing flew the aircraft in support of NASA space shuttle support operations the day prior, during Space Shuttle Discovery's last lift off. The reservists have been the primary force for responding to astronaut emergency's since the early 90s, during lift off, and until the shuttle returns safely to Earth with the astronauts on board. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Cathleen Snow)

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PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Staff Sgt. Sarah Bolin, aircrew life support technician here, shows Space Coast kindergartners equipment that she and her team of Air Force Reservists maintain for wing aviators and pararescuemen Feb. 25. The day prior, Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing were on the go preparing life-saving gear used by Airmen as part of a life-saving effort for NASA astronauts rescue. The reservists are on alert during lift off and until the shuttle returns safely with the astronauts on board. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Cathleen Snow)

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Kindergartners learn about aircraft, astronauts, airmen

Published March 1, 2011
By Capt. Cathleen Snow
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Who do we rescue?

This question was posed to approximately 80 kindergartnerw from a nearby Space Coast elementary school who took a field trip here Feb. 25. Their answer, "us," summed it up perfectly during the visit to the 920th Rescue Wing.

The day after Space Shuttle Discovery's last lift off, students spent several hours learning how Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing are on alert to rescue astronauts during space shuttle lift offs, and anyone else who needs them.

The 920th RQW is an Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue unit here, but also serves as the primary rescue force for NASA astronauts during lift offs and returns.

Wing Airmen boiled their mission down to the ABCs for the students and they got to meet a very special Airman in a flight suit - one child's father, Maj. Dave Anderson. He pilots HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters with the wing so teachers turned to him for show-and-tell.

The students were wowed with dynamic videos of rescue reservists in action performing missions around the globe. They also viewed a clip of a CNN news story on the 920th which covered their role as astronaut angels.

Airmen engaged the children with lighthearted stories then turned to the aircraft for the tactile portion of the tour when they got to see aircrew life support equipment up close, and visit two different airframes, the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and the HC-130P/N aircraft.

To learn more about the 920th Rescue Wing, visit their public web page, join them on Facebook , or follow them Twitter.