300 Saves for Rescue Reservists

Some 50 airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., returned home Jan. 5 after filling part of a joint expeditionary tasking to aid the US Army in Afghanistan with combat medical evacuation. Other Reservists from 920th RQW units in Arizona and Oregon also participated in the 12-month-long JET, the new term USAF has applied to deployments to augment other services. The Arizona and Oregon rescue airmen served the first leg, while the Patrick Reservists picked up the tasking in August 2008. Since the tasking began in February 2008, the AFRC rescue forces recorded more than 300 saves—potential loss of life, limb, or eyesight situations—and nearly 350 assists—non-LLE-threatening situation. (920th RQW report by TSgt. Paul Flipse)