Falcon 9 brings better comunications

  • Published
  • By 920th Public Affairs
  • 920th Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FLA --  Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing, here, supported the successful launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Aug. 5.

The rocket carried a payload that included a communications satellite.

The satellite was created for Asia Satellite Telecommunication Company Limited which supports television signals, private internet signals and broadband connectivity.

These signals will reach China, India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The Reserve Airmen work side-by-side with their active duty counterparts at the 45th Space Wing to maintain safety at the launch site on the Space Coast.

Members on the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter begin their flight several hours before the scheduled launch to ensure the area around the site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., is safe and secure.

The Airmen patrol the area where the rocket will fly over to ensure that ships, boats or swimmers in the area will not be harmed if the launch is not successful.

The 920th RQW performs combat search and rescue as its primary mission, which includes rescuing members that are in harm's way.

In addition to rocket launches the 920th RQW perform civil search and rescue as well as humanitarian relief.

To date, the unit has saved more than 3,000 lives, both in peacetime and combat.