Reserve Airmen support satellite launch

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs Office
  • 920th Rescue Wing
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. --  Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing at nearby Patrick Air Force Base supported the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster carrying the 20th modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite into space here Mar. 24. 

Wing reservists onboard HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters were responsible for clearing the Eastern Range of ocean traffic prior to the 4:34 a.m. launch, which took place without incident. 

The Eastern Range refers to 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." 

The 920th Rescue Wing provides range-clearing support for all NASA rocket and space shuttle launches. However, during a shuttle launch, the wing also provides contingency medical and search-and-rescue support.

The GPS satellite will join the constellation of on-orbit satellites providing global coverage and increased performance of the GPS services to users worldwide. The modernized series delivers increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal to provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency.

The 920th Rescue Wing's primary mission is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and recovering U.S. servicemembers trapped behind enemy lines. The reservists also provide civil search and rescue as well as humanitarian relief. The wing was credited with saving 1,043 lives during Hurricane Katrina relief operations. (Information from a 45th Space Wing news story was used in this release)