Another perfect launch with the rescue professionals standing by

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920th Reserve Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - --  Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here supported NASA's successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis yesterday. The launch occurred at 2:28 p.m. (EST) from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Mission STS-129 marks the 31st flight of a shuttle to the International Space Station and the 31st flight for the orbiter Atlantis. The shuttle and its six-member crew will deliver to the ISS two control moment gyroscopes, equipment and EXPRESS Logistics Carrier 1 and 2. The mission will feature three spacewalks.

Rescue Wing Airmen provide astronaut rescue and recovery support as well as recovery of the orbiter throughout launch, on-orbit and landing in case of emergency.

"The 920th's space support mission showcases why the 920th Rescue Wing is the world's premiere rescue unit," said Wing Commander, Col. Steve Kirkpatrick. "We are proud play a vital role supporting the 45th Space Wing and the entire space community."

Several other units across the 920th Rescue Wing also provided support, including aircraft maintenance and life support. The Reservists must be ready each time a launch is scheduled.

To date, Rescue Reservists have supported more than 400 launches alongside their active-duty counterparts, but that's just a portion of what these Citizen Airmen are trained for.

The 920th RQW is an Air Force Reserve combat search and rescue unit which performs more than 20 percent of the Air Force's CSAR mission at only 4 percent of the total budget. The Wing is comprised of 1,500 Airmen and flies both fixed and rotor wing aircraft: the HC-130P/N extended-range Hercules and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

Atlantis also will return station crew member Nicole Stott to Earth and is slated to be the final space shuttle crew rotation flight.