Air Force Reservists support NASA's Lunar Space Missions

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristin Mack
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here supported the successful launch of an Atlas V rocket carrying two lunar spacecraft systems at 5:32 (EDT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station June 18.

Wing helicopter crews were 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.

In a worst-case scenario the rocket could shower debris or veer off course so the Reservists scan 1,000 square miles of ocean for boats and ships. Then crews divide the area and start making contact with mariners to warn any moving ships which may end up on the danger zone.

Several other units across the 920th Rescue Wing provided vital support, including aircraft maintenance, life support personnel and public affairs. Wing members also provided administrative support.

"Team Rescue is proud to be a part of these lunar exploration missions," said Col. Macrander, 920th Operations Group Commander. "It's such an honor to be be part of such a historic mission."

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Spacecraft (LCROSS) will fly to the moon atop the same Atlas V rocket, although they will use vastly different methods to study the lunar environment.

LRO will go into orbit around the moon turning its suite of instruments toward the moon for thorough studies. High resolution imagery from LRO's camera will help identify landings sites for future astronauts and characterize the moon's topography and composition.

LCROSS, on the other hand, will guide an empty upper stage on a collision course with a permanently shaded crater in an effort to kick up evidence of water at the moons poles. LCROSS will also impact the lunar surface during its studies.

This is the first lunar launch in a decade and expected to reveal more information about the lunar environment than any other previous mission to the moon. 

To date, Rescue Reservists have supported approximately 400 launches alongside their active-duty counterparts. This mission marked the 15th flight of an Atlas V rocket from and the fifth launch this year from Cape Canaveral AFS.

The 920th RW is an Air Force Reserve combat search and rescue unit which performs more than 20 percent of the Air Force's CSAR mission. 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.