3-Star General Visits Rescue Wing Airmen

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., visited Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing during the Air Force Reserve Wing's June training weekend.

This was the last AFRC Wing left to visit prior to retiring as Commander in Chief of the Air Force Reserve for the past four years. "I saved the best for last," said General Bradley during a Rescue Wing Commander's Call which he presided over with 920th Rescue Wing Commander Col. Steven Kirkpatrick.

Wing aircrews flew the General aboard a Rescue Wing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter for an aerial tour of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. Upon touchdown at Patrick, Rescue Wing leadership awaited as the rotors came to a stop and heartily greeted their commander.

The General's schedule only lasted a few hours but he was able to spend time with the pararescue squadron's Airmen.

During the Rescue Wing Commander's Call General Bradley addressed the entire wing. "I had a great helicopter ride he said. "I'm impressed with the way you maintain and fly and the professional way you carry out your mission."

The 920th Rescue Wing's mission is to conduct combat-search-and-rescue operations, day or night, behind enemy lines. During peacetime, the wing provides civilian search and rescue support for those in need and is the only Air Force Reserve unit which provides life-saving support for NASA astronauts during all space shuttle launches and returns.

"There's nothing more important than looking out for those who we send into harm's way. The soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen who carry out the mission," said General Bradley.

(As a rescue force) "You show courage. You have a legacy of valor. You are leaders, warriors, wingmen, and you live the Air Force Core values. You leave no Airmen behind," said the General.

That's why the new CSAR-X is one of our highest acquisition priorities said the general. The CSAR-X is the follow-on combat search and rescue helicopter to replace the HH-60Gs, but several disputes have delayed its final selection. The 920th is scheduled to replace its aging helicopters in 2012 according to Air Force leadership.

General Bradley recognized outstanding achievers in the wing and pinned several medals upon Airmen, including a Combat Action Medal awarded to Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Zimmerman, an HC-130P/N aircrew radio operator.

The Combat Action Medal is an award for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement.

Sergeant Zimmerman and his HC-130P/N Hercules crew members completed several long mobilizations and were often fired upon while performing their flying missions. Sergeant Zimmerman is one of the first wing members to receive the medal.

One significant achiever, Maj. Patricio Bruno, was recognized as best flight surgeon in the Air Force Reserve Command and he received a meritorious service medal from the General.

The 920th RW performs more than 20 percent of the Air Force's CSAR mission and is the only Reserve Wing that performs this mission which keeps its Airmen busier than an average Reserve Wing.

The Wing is comprised of 1,500 Airmen and flies both fixed and rotor wing aircraft. It maintains six HC-130P/N extended-range Hercules aircraft and nine HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and another six at its geographically separated unit in Arizona.

(To the Airmen of the Wing) "You make me very proud. You mobilized for two years and we come back to you again and again," said General Bradley. "We've not had a shortage of volunteers."

General Bradley talked about the Wing's current mobilization and said he recently visited with Wing Airmen who are performing medical evacuation missions in Afghanistan. He said they have flown 265 missions saving 65 lives and assisting with 42 life-saving missions.

"We are doing real work. We are an operational force - used all of the time. (The Air Force Reserve) is not just strategic anymore sitting on a shelf waiting to be used. You contribute in a huge way to our nation's efforts.

"You've been doing these deployments a long time. The nation cannot do without the Air Force and the Air Force cannot do without the Air Force Reserve," he said.

"I love this 920th," said the General. And not long after he talked with Airmen he boarded a wing helicopter northbound to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where his aircraft was parked and he was on his way.

In a few short months the Tennessee native will retire with 41 years of service.

The Rescue Wing Airmen showed their respect and honor for the General and awarded him with a framed wing coin and Rescue Wing momento and a standing ovation.

To serve our nation, reservist make sacrifices to go above and beyond the commitments of civilian life -- balancing the demands of family, civilian employment, and military service.