Rescue Reservists begin deployment

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AFB, Fla. --  Nearly 70 members of the 920th Rescue Wing here are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan Sunday, March 4.

Deploying Airmen are scheduled to be gone for various durations of time in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Some Airmen will be gone as long as four months. 

Pararescuemen from the 308th Rescue Squadron as well as aircrew members from the 301st Rescue Squadron make up a large portion of the deployers. Also included are aircraft maintainers, life support, safety and administrative support personnel. 

The deploying men and women have been preparing for months for the deployment, but Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, 920th Rescue Wing commander, says these Airmen have been training for this kind of mission throughout their career. 

"These men and women are every bit as thoroughly trained as their active duty counterparts. Their commitment as citizen Airmen is proven in their selfless, volunteer dedication. They leave behind their families, their jobs and their friends to protect the freedoms of every American. I'm extremely proud of each and every one of them," said Colonel Kirkpatrick. 

This deployment is part of the Air Force's Aerospace Expeditionary Force rotations. Units are chosen to deploy in pre-assembled groups on a rotational basis approximately every two years. This method of deploying organized participation options to maximize combat readiness.

Volunteerism remains the hallmark of the Air Force Reserve.

The 920th Rescue Wing's primary mission is to provide combat search and rescue operations anywhere in the world as directed. 

The wing continues to have members deployed around the world in support of major areas of operation in all three areas of responsibility in the Middle East and elsewhere supporting the Global War on Terrorism. 

In additon to the wing's primary mission of combat search and rescue, they also supports NASA and the 45th Space Wing in manned and unmanned launches and humanitarian calls for help.