10th Air Force Commander visits rescue wing

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Maj. Gen. Richard Scobee, 10th Air Force commander, spent two days with the 920th Rescue Wing and its Rescue Airmen here.

His command, one of three numbered Air Forces for Air Force Reserve, located in Fort Worth, Texas,  includes all fighter, bomber, special operations, rescue, airborne warning and control, fighter and bomber flying-training missions, combat air operations battle staff, remotely-piloted aircraft, space and cyber units in the Air Force Reserve Command.

Scobee, who took command of 10th Air Force in October, made the trek from Texas to Cocoa Beach, to familiarize himself with the missions and heroes of his rescue and special operations components.

The 920th RQW, "...has an incredibly diverse mission set," said Scobee. "Rescue is such a unique organization."

The general was briefed on each function of the Wing - from medical to maintenance. Afterward, he said how impressed he was with the innovative approaches Airmen have taken to get the job done.

Medical Airmen showed off a simulated military aircraft where they could practice their life-saving skills in the confines of an 'aircraft,' complete with dim lights, the roar of an airplane engine and limited work space.

"What I've noticed about Reservists is the amazing skill sets they bring to work from their civilian lives," he said.

He acknowledged the Rescue Wing's hectic deployment schedule and the added stress of having geographically separated units in Tucson, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, and Langley Air Force Base, Virginia

"The 920th RQW's deployments are robust, to say the least," Scobee said. Currently, there are about 30 Wing Airmen deployed to the Horn of Africa region on alert for combat search and rescue.

Scobee had time to sit down with members of the 920th RQW and made it a point to give a little advice on life and careers.

"The most important thing you can do is take care of your family. You cannot, must not fail at that," he said.