Silicon Valley-based Air Guardsmen Support Rescue of Saudi Pilots

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- Pararescuemen from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing were involved in the rescue of two Saudi Arabian airmen from the Gulf of Aden after their two-seater F-15 fighter jet crashed last Thursday.

Pararescuemen (PJs) and Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) of the 129th Rescue Wing's 131st Rescue Squadron have been providing personnel recovery support for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) during their deployment to the region. The Cal Guard airmen are trained to execute personnel- recovery missions anywhere in the world, from arid deserts to snow-covered mountains.

"No matter what the environment or the circumstances, our Air Guardsmen always rise to the occasion," said Col. Gregory F. Jones, 129th Rescue Wing Commander. "In every rescue our Air Guardsmen perform, they live up to the Air Force Rescue motto: 'That Others May Live.' "

While deployed these airmen have been supporting CJTF-HOA's ongoing multinational, joint, interagency, intergovernmental counter insurgency and stabilization operations throughout the region.

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, the primary mission of the 129th Rescue Wing is to perform personnel recovery anywhere in the world. Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and Guardian Angel teams, the 129th Rescue Wing performs a wide variety of civilian and military personnel-recovery missions, including the rescue of distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations. To date, the Wing is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,000 people.

Please contact 1st Lt. Roderick B. Bersamina at (650) 404-7995 or roderick.b.bersamina.mil@mail.mil for more information.