129th Rescue Wing

Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, the 129th Rescue Wing's mission is to train and prepare to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world. 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 weapon systems that perform these missions are the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and the Guardian Angel pararescue system. The force multiplying capability of aerial refueling the HH-60G from the HC-130J makes these two aircraft an outstanding search and rescue team. As a result, the 129th RQW is often tasked to utilize its refueling capability to perform long-range search and rescue missions over land and water. Since the 129th RQW's designation as a rescue unit in 1975, the unit have have saved over 1,100 lives. "THESE THINGS WE DO, THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE"

Headquarters

The 129th Rescue Wing Headquarters is comprised of the Command Section, Chaplain, Financial Management, Judge Advocate, Public Affairs, Military Equal Opportunity, Human Resource Advisor, Wing Inspector General, Wing Safety and Wing Plans. Each unique section provides products and services for the benefit of the entire Wing to assure the mission is being accomplished in an effective and efficient manner.

Operations Group

The 129th Operations Group is home to the 129th, 130th and 131st Rescue Squadrons and the 129th Operations Support Flight.  All directly support the combat search and rescue mission and daily flying missions in the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.

Mission Support Group

The 129th Mission Support Group is the main support function for over 1,000 military personnel. The Mission Support Group consists of Security Forces Squadron, Communications Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Civil Engineering Flight, Force Support Flight, and the Base Contracting Office.

Maintenance Group

The 129th Maintenance Group's primary mission is to provide 24/7 aircraft maintenance support of combat and peacetime search and rescue operations. 

Medical Group

The 129th Medical Group’s mission is to provide bio environmental, public health, and medical support to monitor the health and wellness of the members of the 129th Rescue Wing. Ensuring our members are fit-to-fight makes our wing a valuable and viable asset to the California Air National Guard which integrates seamlessly with Expeditionary and Joint Forces.

Counterdrug Task Force

The California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force conducts drug interdiction and drug demand reduction operations throughout the state in support of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations in response to the changing drug threat to reduce the demand for and supply of drugs in California. The 129th Rescue Wing's Counterdrug Task Force detachment, Team Hawk, utilizes the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, aircrew, pararescuemen and maintainers to support local law enforcement agencies in the eradication of illegal narcotics and the clean up of national forests environmentally damaged by marijuana production. 
Read more

Unit Awards
The professionalism and dedication of the 129th Rescue Wing personnel has not gone unrecognized. In 2009 the 129th was selected as the recipient of the Spaatz Trophy. Awarded by the National Guard Association of the United States the Spaatz Trophy is named in honor of former Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz and is presented to the overall outstanding flying unit in the Air National Guard. The 2008 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was granted to the 129th for meritorious service during December 2006 to November 2008. Numerous unit members have received national-level awards, recognizing the high caliber of professionals contributing to the success of the 129th Rescue Wing's lifesaving mission.