Local Rescue Wing wins Outstanding Unit Award 3X

  • Published
  • By Lt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AFB, Fla. --  The Air Force Reserve wing here has won the service's outstanding unit award for actions in 2006, the Air Force has announced.

The 920th Rescue Wing is a combat search and rescue unit which trains and equips approximately 1200 reserve personnel to search for, locate and recover U.S. Armed Forces personnel during military operations.

The unit was among 27 in the Air Force Reserve to earn the honor, which includes a uniform ribbon. "I know how good we are, but it's nice to know that someone outside the wing recognizes our contributions to the Air Force mission," said Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, the 920th commander. "This award honors all the hard work and dedication of our men and women during a very demanding year."

Throughout 2006 the Wing provided rescue support for astronauts on NASA space shuttle missions as part of the Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight Team, providing safety and security surveillance of the Eastern Range during all launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.

But that wasn't all; the wing had a busy year providing rescue support for civilians who were lost or in distress. Rescue crews and pararescuemen saved civilians from both coasts and from atop Mount Hood.

"With daring feats like that an everyday occurrence for 920th Rescue Wing Airmen, it's no wonder the Wing earned its third consecutive Air Force Outstanding Unit Award," said the wing commander.

The award period was from October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006. In 2005, 920th Rescue crews returning from a two-year deployment supporting the Global War on Terror turned around and immediately went to the aid of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The wing is credited with saving 1,043 lives during that National disaster.

"Our mission of saving lives is crucial and it's apparent we are the best at what we do. Everyone of the wing's Airmen is responsible for winning this honor. I applaud them for their dedication and support," said Colonel Kirkpatrick.

"These things we do that others may live," he said.