Down under

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - A 920th Rescue Wing maintenance crew chief, Staff Sgt. Jeffery Cope, assigned to the 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here for the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, uses a laptop computer to analyze and repair an H-60 landing-gear problem on this wing chopper. The day prior, Airmen flew the aircraft in support of NASA space shuttle support operations. Maintenance Airmen are on go prior to, and immediately after, space shuttle launches since the Air Force Reservists here are responsible for rescuing the astronauts if they were to bail out of the shuttle due to a Mode VIII emergency, or bailout over the Atlantic Ocean. The reservists are on alert during lift off and until the shuttle returns safely with the astronauts on board. Maintaining the wing's aircraft fleet is vital since all of the 920th's assets are utilized for NASA support during launches. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Cathleen Snow)

A ton of fun

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Maintenance Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing here haul an HC-130P/N King aircraft across the tarmac here the day after the Space Shuttle Discovery's last launch into orbit. Airmen flew all 920th aircraft Feb. 24 in support of NASA space shuttle support operations. Maintenance keeps Airmen on the go prior to and immediately after space shuttle launches since 920th RQW Reservists here are responsible for rescuing the astronauts if they were to bail out of the shuttle into the Ocean due to an emergency situation. 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)

Aircraft maintenance makes impact on manned spaceflight

Published Feb. 28, 2011
By Capt. Cathleen Snow
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airmen have long been considered guardians of the astronauts as they've gone to their aid since manned spaceflight began.

As early as May 24, 1962, on record, two pararescuemen, Staff Sergeant Ray E. McClure and Airman First Class John F. Heitsch , jumped from an Air Sea Rescue SC-54 aircraft and attached an auxiliary flotation collar to the 7 Mercury spacecraft when it splashed down 250 miles from recovery ships.

On board was astronaut Scott Carpenter who the Airmen stood by until they were recovered by three Navy helicopters.

Delivered to their seabound destination by a winged weapon system, and taken home by a rotor wing craft, these Airmen made an impact on manned spaceflight.

The same is true for shuttle support operations today. While Air Force Reserve aviators and pararescumen from the 920th Rescue Wing here are ginning up to support NASA during space shuttle launch operations, a team of maintenance Airmen are tuning up their fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawks and HC-130P/N King aircraft to respond to potential trouble.

These Air Force Rescuers have been designated to serve as the primary rescue force for space shuttle lift offs since the early 90s, and have supported more than 400 rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center and CCAFS since then.

Not only is the entire fleet of 9 helicopters and 6 fixed-wing aircraft used to search and rescue astronauts if there was an emergency during lift off or landing, but a wide scope of Airmen across the wing perform supportive roles.

Although, maintenance Airmen have one of the most daunting tasks. It's their job to keep the aircraft mission capable at all times - before, during, and after space shuttle missions.

During shuttle operations, day-to-day flying here doesn't' stop. Keeping the aircraft fit for flight has its challenges, but according to Lt. Col. Richard Sajewski, 920th Maintenance Squadron Commander, "No matter what it takes!" He emphasized the diligent work ethic his team puts into action during each job. Not only that, he said they work just as hard at preventive maintenance.

The day after the shuttle lifted off safely for the International Space Station Feb. 25, troops like Staff Sgt. Jeffery Cope, a 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron helicopter crew chief was huddled down under a pave hawk analyzing a maintenance issue on the H-60 landing-gear.

Prior to the Feb. 24 lift off of Space Shuttle Discovery's last flight, maintenance Airmen were on go. They will continue this urgent pace up until the astronauts return safely home.

But it doesn't stop there. There are always potential civilian rescues. The 920th Airmen could get the call to save a mariner lost at sea or in distress at a momen't's notice. If their aircraft aren't ready, neither are they.