PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Editor’s note: Last names have been omitted for operational security.
The 39th Rescue Squadron’s Assumption of Command Ceremony for Lt. Col. Steve took place Oct. 2, inside the fuel cell hangar on Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.
“He’s the perfect person to lead the 39th Rescue Squadron,” the 920th Operations Group Commander explained. “Rescue is in his DNA.”
Steve commissioned into the United States Air Force in 2001. During his 19 years of service, he’s garnered experience in the active duty and reserve components of the Air Force. As a combat systems officer, he manages the mission and integrates systems and crew with the aircraft commander to collectively achieve and maintain situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
“I live by the mantra: ‘Effort takes no talent, never get out worked,’” Steve said. “There are challenges ahead but the 39th is ready to take those on.”
The 39th Rescue Squadron is the fixed-wing squadron under the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB. The 39th RQS utilizes the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft in its vital mission of personnel recovery in combat and peacetime situations. Its capabilities include helicopter air-to-air refueling, airdrops, command and control. The ability to now receive fuel in-flight is due to the nose- mounted electro-optical/infrared sensor as well as a combat systems operator flight deck station.
The command position has been held and executed by him since May but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the official ceremony had been postponed.
In an effort to include as many family, friends and co-workers as possible in the event, the 920th Rescue Wing offered a Facebook live-stream throughout the entire ceremony while maintaining social distancing
The 920th RQW is the only wing in the Air Force Reserve Command that trains and equips its Airmen who carry out it mission, to search for, locate and recover U.S. Armed Forces personnel during military operations. Air Force rescue is the only DoD entity specifically organized, trained and equipped to conduct personnel recover operations into hostile or denied areas as a primary mission.