Midnight Madness

  • Published
  • By Maj. Tricia Hill
  • Air Force Reserve Command
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As Space Shuttle Discovery caught the red-eye from NASA's Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station Aug. 28, Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here were prepared to commence a large-scale rescue at an infinitesimal sign of any danger to the crew members of Space Transport System 128.

At one minute before midnight local time the Airmen held their gaze upon the orange-glowing rocket that turned night into day while it jettisoned into orbit.

"The successful launch marked the end of a long week of tedious emergency preparations for this launch as well as each of the two prior launch attempts," Said Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, 920th Rescue Wing Commander. "Approximately 70 Reserve Airmen forge together to provide a life-saving support arm to protect and serve NASA astronauts."

The seven-person space shuttle crew is on a 13-day mission to deliver seven tons of supplies and equipment to the International Space station.

"The 920th RQW is a critical link providing search and rescue support to the astronauts in bailout situations," said Col. Randy Spear, Commander Joint Task Force Space Transport System (JTF-STS). "My role as the JTF commander is to lead, oversee and plan the successful execution of the Northern Command mission for search and rescue for shuttle emergencies."

In addition to astronaut rescue and recovery support, the Reservists are also there to assist in recovery of the orbiter throughout launch, on-orbit and upon landing in case of an emergency.

Three hours prior to launch, Wing helicopter crews are responsible for clearing the Eastern Range, the roughly 10-mile-wide by 70-mile-long strip of Atlantic Ocean that extends out from the launch pad in the anticipated direction of flight, or "launch azimuth." 

A wing HC-130P/N Hercules aircraft circled approximately 175 nautical miles downrange, while one HC-130 remained on alert here.

While supporting a launch, the Airmen work in concert with numerous Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft and Coast Guard ships which are pre-positioned or on standby to quickly conduct search and rescue operations.

In cooperation with NASA, U.S. Strategic Command and Detachment 3, 45th Operations Group here, JTF-STS has developed plans to locate and retrieve the astronauts if they have a launch emergency and are forced to bailout of the shuttle, or have to return for landing.

All togehter rescue wing launches four HH-60 helicopters equipped with advanced medical supplies, a flight doctor and pararescuemen. The two HC-130 refueling aircraft are equipped with even more pararescuemen and are there to extend the range of rescue by provinding air refueling.

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 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.

To date, Rescue Reservists have supported more than 400 launches alongside their active-duty counterparts.

"It's very rewarding to be part of such an elite group that has the tremendous honor of supporting America's Space program," said Colonel Kirkpatrick.