Airmen of the 920th Honor Fallen Comrades
• By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar, 920th Rescue Wing •

As family, friends and fellow Airmen gathered to pay their respects for the fallen Airmen of the Khobar Towers, the sunny Florida skies shined above — a contrast, for some, of what they were feeling inside.

June 25 marks the day, 14 years ago, when five Airmen from the “Rescue” community here made that ultimate sacrifice to their country — the sacrifice of their lives.

“We’re here so we do not forget what happened 14 years ago,” said Col. Charlene Nelson, commander of the 920th Maintenance Group, during the memorial service. “We honor them for their families.”

With opening remarks by Darrell Hankins, the project manager of the event and a former member of the 1st Rescue Group, the crowd of about 45 Airmen and 20 family and friends listened to the names of those who perished in the bombing.

The men who served from Patrick Air Force Base:

Capt. Christopher J. Adams of Massapequa Park, NY

Capt. Leland T. Haun of Clovis, CA

Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser of Palm Coast, FL

Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson of Shreveport, LA

AIC Justin R. Wood of Modesto, CA

“We are here to honor our fellow airmen and, most importantly, to make sure we never forget them,” said Mr. Hankins who was active duty in the 71st Rescue Squadron at the time of the tragedy.

Jenny Haun, wife of Capt. Leland T. Haun who was killed in the bombing, has attended this memorial service here for the last three years.

“This means so much to the families. Everybody puts in a little of themselves,” she said. “There is no one else who understands this, except military.”

Last to speak before the traditional laying of the wreath on the memorial site was Senior Master Sgt. Michael Ziegler, a reserve pararesueman here and a first responder to the events in Saudi Arabia.

“These men felt a higher calling to save lives and it was, literally, that simple to them to do so,” Sgt. Ziegler said. “These heroes spent their time protecting those around them.”

Two Airmen carried the wreath to the granite memorial commemorating the lives of these great men and placed it there. A very, very small token of appreciation in comparison to what these families had sacrificed.

“We need to take their tragedy and become stronger from it,” said Sgt. Ziegler.

In the combat search and rescue community, each and every airman is committed to saving lives — in some cases, at the expense of their own.

The motto, “These things we do, that others may live,” is the creed these brave men and women live by.

Florida Guardian Angels return from saving lives in Afghanistan
• Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar •
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

As the sun shone brightly and the Banana River glistened next to 920th Rescue Wing’s pararescue squadron here at Patrick Air Force Base, a small, intimate group of families waited anxiously as the white bus pulled into the parking lot on May 5, 2010.

It had been quiet around the Guardian Angel’s squadron the last four months, with personnel who make up the Guardian Angel Weapons System (or GAWS) and support personnel deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

GAWS is made up of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, pararescuemen called PJs, and combat rescue officers (or CROs) to provide a life saving force to the forces.

The deployment, which has been a yearly event for the GAWS, began in January and was completed May.

While deployed, they saved many lives of both service members and Afghani nationals. One particular event took them high up in the mountains of the Helmand Province, more specifically, the Salang Pass, at an elevation of approximately 11,500 feet.

The Guardian Angel Team used their diverse rescue skills to treat and evacuate survivors of multiple avalanches that occurred in this major mountain pass, which connects northern Afghanistan to the Kabul province.

More than 1,500 Afghans were stranded on Salang Pass in frigid weather — raging winds and minus-40 degree air, not to mention mounds of snow.

After 12 flights in a seven-hour period, the guardian angels were able to assist more than 300 people.

Not only were the GAWA able to assist the local citizens but they were also tasked to help fellow Airmen and Soldiers.

“We always have good missions — we’re rescue — we’re there to help people,” said Master Sgt. Mike Maroney, Air Force Reserve PJ here who was deployed with the GAWs team for the last two months.

Although helping others is a calling for PJs, it is nice to be able to come home to loved ones at the end, he said.

While waiting for her dad to get off the bus, Lola Hufnagel, 3, holds a small American flag to give to pararescueman Tech. Sgt. Wes Hufnagel.

“We are very happy and excited to have him back,” said Ms. Sheri Hufnagel, Sergeant Hufnagel’s wife.

Helping others is engrained in the pararescuemen through their training, history and motto, “These things we do, that others may live.”

Air Force Reserve Combat-Search-and-Rescue Wing holds change-of-command
• Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar •

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FL – Colonel Robert Dunn will assume command of the 920th Rescue Wing on May 2 after a change-of-command ceremony at Patrick Air Force Base at 10 a.m.

Colonel Dunn will replace Colonel Steven “Wall Street” Kirkpatrick who served as commander of the 920th Rescue Wing from March 2006 to May 2009. Colonel Kirkpatrick will be assigned as the Senior Air Force Reserve Advisor to the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, FL.

Colonel Dunn is currently the Commander of the 943rd Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., which is a geographically separated unit of the 920th RQW.

He received his commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps from Kent State University, Ohio, in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering Technology. He spent 10 years on active duty as a pilot. He entered the Air Force Reserve in 1990 and has since seen worldwide duty in Air Force Systems Command, Pacific Air Forces, Tactical Air Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command and Headquarters Tenth Air Force as a unit training officer, instructor pilot, flight examiner, flight commander, operations officer and director of safety.

Colonel Dunn is a command pilot with more than 5,500 hours in the T-37, T-38A/B, A-10A, UH-1H, HH-3E and HH-60G.

As the 920th RQW Commander, Colonel Dunn will provide leadership, management and supervision and will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of the wing.

The 920th RQW is the only combat-search-and-rescue wing in the Air Force Reserve Command. It’s comprised of 1,500 dedicated Citizen Airmen and is the most called-upon unit in the Air Force Reserve. The 920th routinely averages 50-200 service members deployed in support of overseas contingency operations.

The wing’s assets include a fleet of 15 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and six HC-130P/N Hercules extended-range aircraft to employ wing pararescuemen to perform a demanding and compelling array of life-saving combat-search-and-rescue missions.

For more information about the 920th RQW log on to the wing’s Web site: www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil.

Reserve rescue riggers pack 67-year-old piece of history with a little help from YouTube
By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar, 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation,” General Douglas MacArthur famously said.

Unfold the journey of how a 67-year-old Japanese silk parachute from World War II made its way to a Florida Veteran’s Memorial Center where it’s on display, and you’ll see a detour at the Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing here.

Preservation and a quick history lesson was in store for the 920th RQW aircrew flight equipment technicians (or parachute riggers) when they received the old parachute with the request to repack it in its original casing. While completely adept at packing the modern day parachutes for the 920th Rescue Wing Pararescuemen (PJs), this was a definite change of pace for the crew.

Mr. Mel Mueller, of the Brevard Veterans Council and Veterans Memorial Center, brought the silk parachute to the professionals to re-pack it for display at the museum.

“During my Air Force career I spent three years in the rescue service, [...] so I was familiar with the rescue folks and knew of their capabilities,” he explained.

So, with this knowledge in hand, Mr. Mueller made the trek to Patrick Air Force Base to drop off the parachute — which, at this point, was in a plastic garbage bag.

This particular parachute was donated to the museum by a woman whose husband, a retired Air Force fighter pilot, recently passed away. His wish for his possessions, according to Alexander Terrero, Brevard Veterans Council and Veterans Memorial Center, was to keep them preserved and with the military in some fashion.

“I’ve never seen a silk parachute,” Mr. Terrero said. “It’s like History Channel stuff!”

Although the Air Crew Flight Equipment Technicians are thoroughly knowledgeable in all things parachute, it took some research, a little YouTube viewing and good old-fashioned elbow grease to get the parachute in its original bag.

Senior Airmen Jarrod Burgess, aircrew flight equipment apprentice, intrigued by the parachute and its history, did a little investigating on his own to find the correct way to pack the parachute — and it came in the form of a six-minute video, in Japanese, on YouTube.

“I just looked it up on YouTube. Once I saw how it worked and how it opened, I was able to see the signature way of packing it,” he explained. SrA Burgess also looked at the way the Japanese parachute jumpers wore the parachute when they deployed from the aircraft. All of these factors helped in finding the perfect packing method.

There were major differences though, and these differences were what made this process so interesting.

This particular parachute was the main parachute used by the Japanese fighters during WWII, and was worn on the chest, unlike the main back-worn parachutes in current use. Airman Burgess was also surprised at how small this parachute was in contrast to those used by PJs today. Tech. Sgt. Juan Duharte, 920th RQW aircrew flight equipment supervisor, was amazed not only at the difference, but, surprisingly, the similarities. “While packing this parachute, we used pretty much the same system we use today,” he said. Sergeant Duharte also noticed that the stitching and some of the knots were exactly the same as those used now. “It’s very similar to the chest reserve parachutes we use today,” he said.

As the 920th riggers exchanged their stories and histories with the group from the Veterans Memorial Center, it was clear that while years go by the code of service remains the same. The same acronyms, deployments, pride in serving America and the same career stories. There is much more in common with the two groups — bonded over the packing of a parachute that represented an entire American era — than not.

Alaska, known for its cold winters, tall mountains and unforgiving terrain, became the perfect spot for Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen (PJs) from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force to practice their winter Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training.

The training is two-fold for these men. Not only is it gearing the group up for a deployment overseas, but it also keeps the PJs up-to-date on their qualifications. Here in Alaska, the 920th Rescue Wing PJs work side-by-side with their Reserve counterparts, the 212th Rescue Squadron based in Anchorage, Alaska.

“The unique type of training we provide is limitless,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Stephens, Commander of the 212th Rescue Squadron. “Most of our team enjoys the backcountry during their time off. We all ice climb, ski and hunt [...] practices that hone our rescue skills for Alaska and combat.”

The first day of their week-long training started with a late afternoon snowshoe out into a valley to practice navigating to a simulated “crash site” to recover victims while under “enemy” fire. Then, as darkness fell, an HH-60G helicopter flew in with a team of several PJs who fast-roped down to “rescue” a downed pilot behind “enemy lines.”

This type of training is important, according to Tech. Sgt. Weston Hufnagel, PJ from the Reserve 920th Rescue Wing, because it gets the team, “[...] operating in a different environment and familiar with using their cold weather gear and utilizing their cold weather tactics.”

The Reserve PJ Airmen are part of the Guardian Angel Weapons System (GAWS) along with the SERE (Search, Extract, Resist, Escape) Specialists. These men provide the capability to execute each of the personnel recovery tasks with only a fraction of the manpower, saving time, money, and lives.

Working under the cover of darkness is essential in a war zone, so the next several nights consisted of extracting “victims” from wreckages using tools they have to carry in from their staging area. For these men, working with the extra clothing, moving in the snow and carrying the extra gear was training in itself.

“This reinforced how difficult it is to move in a snow/mountainous terrain with all of our equipment,” said Capt. Chad Senior, Reserve Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) from the 920th Rescue Wing. “We hope to identify training shortfalls with time to improve on those skills at home station prior to deployment.”

All of this training is focused on saving lives, especially those in combat situations. However, these PJs may be called upon to perform life-saving maneuvers on a mountain covered in snow — so they must be able to work with the equipment they travel with.

Learning how to properly place anchors in the snow so they can pull a victim up and down a mountain was another day of training for the Florida PJs with their Alaska counterparts refreshing their skills by teaching.

“The PJs and CROs from the 212th [...] are skilled at applying technical rescue skills in the alpine setting. From getting to the survivor via snowshoeing, ice climbing or skiing, to building the rope system to raise or lower the patient on the near vertical slope — these guys are good at it because they do it day in and day out,” said Lt. Col. Joel Kinnunen, Commander of the Pararescue Squadron at the 920th Rescue Wing.

Part of the GAWS is the interchanging of information and sharing of skills. All PJs are equipped with the knowledge to pull off rescues in any type of environment, but not all of these men are stationed in places that allow for it. By each unit traveling to other geographical areas, PJs have the opportunity to compare skills and learn new ones.

“The Patrick team is great at the skills out their back door — just like us. They have taught us better ways to pack the Rigged Alternative Method Zodiac (an inflatable boat), dive techniques, and more. Their operating skills are in the hot and humid,” said Lt. Col. Stephens.
Training in any environment poses its own unique challenges, and this was no different. But with the help and support of the Alaska Team, the training went flawlessly and everyone got what they needed from the experience. “We tightened up as a team,” said Tech. Sgt. Hufnagel.

These men will be deployed from anywhere from two to four months as part of the GAWS. GAWS is intended to meet the need for recovery of personnel (in combat or otherwise) to include all U.S. military members, DOD contractors and civilians serving overseas. Its mission calls for expertise in all five stages of the personnel recovery life cycle — report, locate, support, recover, and reintegrate isolated persons.

“Don’t quit.”

That’s the motto here for the pre-Indoctrination Course Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen (PJs) and Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) at the 920th Rescue Wing Patrick Air Force Base, FL. In fact, that statement will follow these men throughout their two-year training program — the Pipeline as they call it.

The Physical Ability and Stamina Test (P.A.S.T) is administered the first Wednesday of every month for wanna-be PJs and CROs. These men come from all over the U.S. to try out for the program. Tech. Sgt. Patrick Dunne, an Air Force Reserve 920th PJ and test administrator, is the gateway to the Pipeline — pass his test and there’s a good chance you’ll be passing INDOC. “I think this is one of the most important steps in the journey,” Dunne said. He went through the P.A.S.T test here in 2002 after a nine-year break in service after getting out of the U.S. Marine Corps as Force Recon. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 drew Dunne back into the service, this time as a PJ.

Capt. Dan Turpin, a CRO candidate, was in the Army Rangers for four years prior to coming into the Air Force Reserves. He came in specifically for the PJ program — a far cry from his job in the Army where his primary mission was much different than Combat Rescue. His interest in the PJ program was sparked when PJs came to the rescue of an Afghanistan national during his Army deployment. “I want to be a part of something so much more rewarding […] to help people,” he said. The test is hard, but not as hard as the training to come, so if a person can’t stand up to this test — there is no way he’ll be sent to INDOC.

With a 95% drop-out rate for the INDOC course, it’s no wonder recruitment is down. “I think the biggest problem is that these young guys don’t think the process is as tough as what it actually is. A lot of times in society today people are allowed to pass based on effort. This program is not that way. This job demands a certain level of mental and physical toughness and you have to meet the standard,” explains Tolson. The physical part of the test is timed pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, and flutter kicks. After the calisthenics is a three-mile run with a 22-minute limit, with the trainees hitting the 1.5 mile mark in under 10:45. Then comes the hardest part for most — the pool work.

“The pool work we do is the hardest in the Department of Defense, and this is quoting someone who went to the Navy SEAL training,” says Dunne. The pool work starts with 15 minutes of 25-meter underwater swim, then a 30-minute time limit on a 1,500 meter swim.
If there are no new recruits in for the testing, the trainees waiting to go to INDOC still come in once a month and do the P.A.S.T test. It’s here that Dunne shows the soon-to-be INDOC participants a little taste of what is to come — and he’s not easy on them.

His reasoning for the no-nonsense treatment? “There are no guarantees in the Pipeline,” says Dunne. With guys being cut during the last week of the INDOC program, to failing the academic challenges of the Paramedic Program, the 18-month process of becoming the elite Pararescueman is riddled with challenges. Capt. Turpin is one of four men scheduled for INDOC training the beginning of January 2010. They all passed the P.A.S.T testing process and are on to the Pipeline. With only 350 Air Force Reserve PJs in service, it is vital that the best-of-the-best get to the initial INDOC training and push through the rest.

This is a serious job. PJs primary function is as a personnel recovery specialist, with emergency medical capabilities in humanitarian and combat environments. They deploy in any available manner, to include air-land-sea tactics, into restricted environments to authenticate, extract, treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel, while acting in an enemy-evading, recovery role. Not only are they Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) trained, they also are the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the U.S. military.
All of these skills combined enable the PJs to perform life-saving missions in the world’s most remote areas — and they do just that.

Now, with the support of the Guardian Angel Weapons System (GAWS), the U.S. Air Force Reserve is looking for new blood. The GAWS is intended to meet the need for recovery of personnel (in combat or otherwise) to include all U.S. military members, DOD contractors and civilians serving overseas. Its mission calls for expertise in all five stages of the personnel recovery life cycle — report, locate, support, recover and reintegrate isolated persons. PJ Airmen, part of GAWS, provide the capability to execute each of the personnel recovery tasks with only a fraction of the manpower, saving time, money and lives.

These men, with the motto, “These things we do, that others may live,” reaffirms the PJs commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice. The school is not easy, but neither is saving lives — may the best apply and pass.

For more information or to apply for the P.A.S.T process — please call or email Master Sgt. Eric Tolson: Eric.Tolson@patrick.af.mil or 321-494-1962.

Col. Hannon replaced Col. Jeffrey L. Macrander, who served as Operations Group commander from October 2005 to October 2009. Col. Macrander has taken the position of Chief, Global Power Panel at Air Force Reserve Headquarters, Robins Air Force Base, GA, and is the single point of contact for all issues concerning combat forces.

Col. Hannon comes from 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas, as the director of training. He graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Public Health. He then entered Undergraduate Pilot Training-Helicopter at Fort Rucker, AL, in 1984.

He served as the squadron commander of the 301st Rescue Squadron here from March 2005 to August 2008, where he commanded worldwide helicopter rescue and recovery operations. He has logged more than 5,400 hours as a command pilot, including deployments in support of Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and with combat time in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The 920th Operations Group is dedicated to combat search and rescue and is responsible for the overall combat training and readiness of nearly 300 aircrew, pararescue specialists, and support personnel, employing HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopters and specially modified HC-130P/N Hercules aircraft.

Col. Robert S. Lipira served as interim Operations Group Commander from October 2009 through November 2009.

The 920th Rescue Wing here was one of the main performances that drew a huge crowd of enthralled onlookers. From start to finish, the crews of the HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft (also called King), and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters (also called Jolly), amazed and delighted the crowd on the beach and pier.

While the purpose of this demonstration was to show the 920th Rescue Wing’s maritime operations as well as the past, present and future support of NASA’s manned spaceflights, the Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen (PJs) and the aerial prowess of the pilots and crews of the King and Jollies stole the show.

The crowd was given the V.I.P treatment — the PJs at their best. From a parachute free-fall from the King to jumping out of the Jollies into the Ocean, the PJs put on a very educational and fun show of their skills. They then topped it off by swimming onto the beach and through the crowd for photos, autographs and plenty of congratulatory words from the public.

Ms. Janelle Jones, of Cocoa Beach, came to the air show specifically for the Pararescuemen event with her children. The climbing of the rope ladder from the ocean to the Jolly was, by far, the most impressive, she said. The courage and strength of those guys are amazing!” Ms. Jones said. “It gives me goose bumps.”

Melbourne resident Mr. John Krause had the same sentiments. “The rope ladder climb was amazing,” he said. “I can’t imagine the brute strength needed to do that; they only used their arms,” he added. Mr. Krause also mentioned that he and another onlooker were commenting on the way the PJs jumped from the Jolly, ”It was pure and simple Hollywood,” he said. “Although the re-fueling demonstration was really, really neat to see.”

Colonel Philip Manning, Vice Commander of the 920th Rescue Wing, said, “This show is a prime example of the 920th’s dedication and resolve. This was a great training exercise for us. The community support and turn-out was great.”

The producers of the Cocoa Beach Air Show are already talking about next year’s event – and next year the 920th Rescue Wing will be out there showing the community their hard-earned skills.

Visit us the 920th online at: http://www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil/

By Bryan Ripple
DEOMI Public Affairs Officer

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — One truly unique agency within the Department of Defense is the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, more commonly referred to as DEOMI. The DEOMI campus is housed in a beautiful Florida/Mediterranean-style structure located along the beautiful Banana River on Patrick Air Force Base.

Located on Patrick in several older structures since 1971, DEOMI marked its fifth year of occupancy in its new campus in January 2009. The event provided a good opportunity to take a look back at the history of the Institute and remember why it’s so critical to mission success today for the nation’s military commanders.

With a single snip of a pair of scissors, Dr. David S. Chu, then Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, was joined by several high-ranking military and civilian leaders as they easily cut a ceremonial dedication ribbon, symbolizing the opening of the new home of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute here.

During the ceremony, Dr. Chu commented on the factors that led to DEOMI’s emergence more than three decades ago.
“Years ago, our military was deeply troubled with racial unrest and turmoil plagued several military installations and ships. None of the military services was exempt,” said Dr. Chu, who reached the rank of Captain when he left the Army in 1970.
“In some cases, these civil disturbances directly interfered with the military’s ability to execute its mission and fight effectively,” he said.

To counteract these disturbances, an inter-service task force was formed to examine the causes — and more importantly — to find possible solutions for the racial strife within the Services.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Lucius Theus (then Colonel Theus) was chosen to head the task force, which resulted in the publication of Department of Defense Directive 1322.11, establishing the Defense Race Relations Board, and in 1971, created the Defense Race Relations Institute, the original name for DEOMI, which was renamed DEOMI in July 1979, with an expanded mission to consider areas of equity beyond race.

Since that first seven-week course, the Institute has continuously expanded to meet the needs of field commanders and agency heads. As a result, DEOMI now addresses a wide array of issues, including disability, diversity, sexism, extremism, religious accommodations, and anti-Semitism.

“The change in scenery and upgrading of our facilities is a very good thing, but what hasn’t changed, and what will never change as long as there is a need for DEOMI, is our focus on mission readiness — and on the indisputable fact than an effective and fair equal opportunity program is a real force multiplier,” said Dr. William T. Yates II, DEOMI Dean of Education.

DEOMI is a proud neighbor in the community. Many staff and faculty members live in the area and together with about 3,000 students who receive training here each year contribute to the local economy.
For more about DEOMI, visit us on the Web at www.deomi.org.

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FL — Every time a rocket pierces through the sky into space from Cape Canaveral’s spaceport, Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here are on the go to support it.

Mounted aboard a Herculean Delta IV rocket, the new national weather satellite took off Saturday, June 27 at 6:51 p.m. EDT after a loading its fuel during a severe storm. Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here weathered the storm while patrolling for public safety in two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters — warning any mariners from slipping into the danger zone.

Winds gusting at 26 knots along with nearby lightning strikes were reported nearby. Ultimately, the storm cleared in time for United Launch Alliance rocket to part the skies with a fiery blast. Rescue Reservists remained airborne close by to ensure safety on the Eastern Range off Florida’s Space Coast.

The satellites provide a primary means of tracking tropical systems, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who owns and operates them. The spacecraft will also provide most of the satellite images seen throughout the nation on television weathercasts.

“The 920th’s space support mission showcases why the 920th Rescue Wing is the world’s premiere rescue unit,” said Wing Commander, Col. Steve Kirkpatrick. ”We are proud play a vital role supporting the 45th Space Wing and the entire space community.”

Several other units across the 920th Rescue Wing also provided support, including aircraft maintenance and life support. The Reservists must be ready each time a launch is scheduled. Many storms off Florida’s coast morph into more severe weather systems threatening populated areas along the eastern seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. But upgrades to the GOES satellites have enabled NOAA and its National Weather Service to provide early warnings so people can take action in advance of the onset of severe weather.

GOES-O is also designed with links that include a search-and-rescue capability to detect distress signals from maritime vessels and aircraft. The added capability will allow emergency responders, like Air Force Northern Command’s Air Force Rescue Recovery Center, to obtain accurate, real-time information quickly enabling them to deploy appropriate resources, like the 920th, to save lives.

To date, Rescue Reservists have supported more than 400 launches alongside their active-duty counterparts, but that’s just a portion of what these Citizen Airmen are trained for.

“They are a Rescue force to be reckoned with,” said Col. Kirkpatrick who deployed to the Gulf region September 12, 2008 with 50 of Brevard County Rescue Reservists as part of a joint search and rescue unit at Randolph AFB in south Texas. Col. Kirkpatrick was tasked to command more than 800 joint-forces personnel staging there with approximately 20 Air Force and Navy HH-60 helicopters and four HC-130s. In all, they rescued 17 people, three Chihuahuas and two cats.

“Our SAR crews endure specialized training to conduct humanitarian and combat search and rescues,” said Colonel Kirkpatrick. “We always hope there won’t be a need for it. But when there is, we’ll do it — and we’ll do it well.”

The 920th RQW is an Air Force Reserve combat search and rescue unit which performs more than 20% of the Air Force’s CSAR mission at only 4% of the total budget. The Wing is comprised of 1,500 Airmen and flies both fixed and rotor wing aircraft: the HC-130P/N extended-range Hercules and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.