News>129th Rescue Wing supporting Hurricane Gustav rescue operations
Photos
Tech. Sgt. Ian Freeman, a loadmaster with the 129th Rescue Wing, secures cargo on the deploying MC-130P Combat Shadow tanker Sep. 1, 2008. The 129th brought equipment including trucks, jet skis and boats for the deploying pararescue personnel to have on hand in preparation of the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian)
Tech. Sgt. Mike Smith, a C-130 crew chief from the 146th Airlift Wing, based out of Channel Islands, Calif., ties down a truck filled with rescue equipment on board the C-130J. The 146th provided additional transportation for the 129th Rescue Wing deployed personnel and equipment Sep. 1, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian)
Chief Master Sgt. Charles Dehart (black hat), a loadmaster from the 146th Airlift Wing and a PJ from the 129th Rescue Wing spot the tires of an on-boarding truck filled with rescue equipment. PJs from the 129th Rescue Wing loaded various equipment in preparation of the possible aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian)
Approximately 60 Airman from the 129th Rescue Wing depart Moffett Federal Airfield Monday, Sep. 1 in support of hurricane relief off of the Gulf of Mexico. Airmen boarded an MC-130P Combat Shadow tanker Monday morning en route to Texas where they will wait until the storm passes before arriving to any hot spots following the storm's surge on land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jill Jamgochian)
8/31/2008 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing departed here today at noon to provide search and rescue support for Hurricane Gustav victims in the Gulf Coast Region.
The two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, one MC-130P Combat Shadow tanker and 19 personnel, including pararescuemen, departed here for Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. Tomorrow they will proceed to either Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, or Meridian, Miss., where they will pre-position for Hurricane Gustav civilian search and rescue missions.
After the hurricane passes through the region, the Airmen will proceed directly to the disaster area to perform rescues.
A 129th RQW-based MC-130P Combat Shadow tanker will depart here for Ellington Field or Meridian tomorrow at 9 a.m., along with two C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft from the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif. The three aircraft are slated to transport approximately 60 129th personnel and pararescue equipment to the pre-positioning locations.
As an Air National Guard unit, many of the 129th's past missions involved supporting the Governor's office during state emergencies, which included earthquakes, chemical spills, fires and floods.
Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow tankers and HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, the 129th has performed a wide variety of civilian search and rescue missions, including distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations.
The total number of people saved by the 129th RQW is 564.
Media are invited to cover the aircraft departures here tomorrow. Please contact Capt. Alyson Teeter at 650-793-1749 for more information.
