AF reservists support first rocket launch of year

by Capt. Cathleen Snow, 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force Reserve Combat-search-and-rescue Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported the successful launch of a Delta IV rocket carrying the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite at 7:38 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37 here Jan. 19.

Maintenance Airmen readied two of the 920th's HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, which aircrews took flight in two hours before the launch window, at approximately 5:30 p.m., to secure the Eastern Range.

The 45th Space Wing launched the United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket WGS-04, which is the first craft in the program's upgraded Block 2 series, which adds a radio frequency bypass capability designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring ultra-high bandwidth and data rates.

They 920th Reserve Airmen work side-by-side with the 45th Space Wing to maintain safety on the range for each rocket that launches from here. Last night they cleared a 60-mile stretch of the Range over the Atlantic Ocean of mariners to keep them out of harm's way beneath the rocket launch path.

As a combat-search-and-rescue unit, the Airmen are trained to provide search and rescue services in humanitarian and combat environments. Supporting launches is no different. Lt. Col. Robert Haston, 920th Pave Hawk pilot, said to maintain safety, "we'll stay airborne during a lunch as long as the launch window remains open. "

Haston flies many of the launch missions and said he's, "been up all night" before while a launch window remained open.

"The 920th Rescue Wing is proud to work this important Air Force launch that will play a role in our nation's defense. It's an honor to be a part of such a vital mission. We will continue to provide launch support for all launches while maintaining our busy overseas deployment schedule," said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th RQW Wing commander.

The next Air Force launch from CCAFS is scheduled for February, when the Air Force will launch the first satellite of the Mobile User Objective System, which will provide enhanced capabilities for mobile military users.

The wing will also support SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch for NASA in March.

"We are honored to have worked closely with our Air Force and mission partners to enable today's successful launch of the WGS-4 satellite. WGS-4 will provide important capabilities to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines protecting our freedoms around the world," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. "This mission begins the most aggressive launch campaign in the history of the EELV program, with nine national security and two NASA launches scheduled this year."

Rescue wing Airmen launch entire fleet during hurricane exercise

Aircraft from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., fly over the Atlantic Ocean March 6, 2011. Airmen launched six HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and three HC-130P/N King extended-range refueling aircraft during their drill training weekend. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Grande)

by Staff Sgt. Annamarie Wyant, 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing here launched the wing's entire fleet of aircraft March 6 during their drill training weekend.

The mission simulated a mass hurricane evacuation prior to the start of Florida's storm season, as well as the 920th RQW's busy deployment schedules.

Three HC-130P/N King fixed-wing aircraft were launched at approximately 9 a.m. Immediately following their takeoff, Airmen launched six HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters.

Airmen flew the aircraft several miles out to sea where the Kings refueled the Pave Hawks, then the fleet returned to the coastline, flew south approximately 10 miles, then turned and flew north about the same distance north along Cocoa Beach, then back to Patrick Air Force Base.

This was the first time the entire operational fleet was flown in more than 15 years and it was significant for 920th RQW Airmen for many reasons, said Col. Robert Dunn, the 920th Rescue Wing commander.

"To do something like this takes a lot of effort," Colonel Dunn said. "These are old planes; to put 100 percent of them in the air together is a major feat that required a lot of time, effort and coordination from everyone.

In addition to training for hurricane evacuation and natural disaster relief, Colonel Dunn said having the aircraft maintainers work together and see the fruits of their labor was a great morale booster for them.

"It's good practice, and it's motivational," he said. "To see the (aircraft) maintainers out there watching all the planes and helicopters take off, and seeing the pride in their faces for what they've accomplished, makes it all worth it."

The colonel said he knew this would require extensive work from all Airmen, but he believes the entire wing benefited from it.

He said it was a great success, and he was proud of the hard work his Airmen did to make it happen.

"It couldn't have been a better day," he said. "There was a lot of pride out there."

The maintainers started organizing the mission early to make sure everything would run smoothly. They began coordinating three months earlier with pilots and aircrew.

The primary mission of the 920th RQW is a combat-search-and-rescue. The unit is also tasked as the primary rescue force for NASA astronauts during lift off and local civilian search and rescue, as well as humanitarian relief.