Preparing for the Mode 8 exercise
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Pararescuemen from the 920th Rescue Wing conduct a pre-exercise briefing to become acquainted with floatation devices worn by NASA astronauts. Members of the 920th RQW, along with a number of other military units, are participants in a Mode 8 emergency Space Shuttle astronaut bailout search and rescue exercise off the Florida coast. Pararescuemen and crews from the 920th RQW support every Space Shuttle launch as part of a joint task force in case an emergency occurs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Allen)