920th RQW assists in Falcon 9 launch

  • Published
  • By 920th Public Affairs
  • 920th Public Affairs
A Falcon 9 rocket began its journey skyward as SpaceX successfully launched the rocket July 14, from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., at 11:15 a.m.

Hours before the 224-foot Falcon rocket carrying six Orbcomm Generation 2 satellites took to the skies, reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base provided range-clearance and safety support.

HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters took off from Patrick AFB to patrol the Eastern Range, the 70-mile long by 10-mile wide swath of ocean extending east from the Cape that must be cleared of all air & marine traffic prior to every launch to ensure boaters are a safe distance any potential danger.

Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up for maximum reliability.

The 920th RQW performs combat search and rescue as its primary mission, which includes rescuing downed pilots. Additionally the 920th RQW is responsible for civil search and rescue, humanitarian relief and support of rocket launches. To date, the unit has saved more than 3,000 lives, both in peacetime and combat.

For more information on the 920th Rescue Wing, follow them on Facebook and Twitter. **Information from SpaceX's website was used in this release**