Rescue Wing Airmen return from duty in the Horn of Africa

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Rescue Wing Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing here touched down in Florida Friday night after piloting home a wing HC-130P/N King aircraft all the way from Africa where they were deployed for the past 45 days.

The extended-range-combat-search-and-rescue aircraft transported twenty Airmen and was the first of two to return from the deployment.

The 45-day deployment took approximately 63 Air Force Reservists to the region in provding combat search and rescue in support of U.S. Africa Command.

The Airmen provided a search and rescue platform for pararescue personnel and conducted air refueling for combat-search-and-rescue helicopters. They saved lives and supported various ongoing contingencies.

The King is the only dedicated fixed-wing combat search and rescue platform in the Air Force inventory.

The deployment was one of many for the 920th RQW and its Rescue Reservists. Earlier this year, Airmen provided rescue support during overseas contingency operations in Afghanistan and saved many lives from an avalanche that struck in the Salang Pass.

The second HC-130 from Africa is due to return tomorrow with the additional Airmen and they're already resetting their clocks to deploy again.

Stay up to date with the 920th Rescue Wing at http://www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil. Follow the 920th on Facebook and Twitter.