33rd Rescue Squadron crew earns MacKay Trophy

The crew of "Pedro 16" poses in July 2009, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Pictured are Capt. Robert Rosebrough (middle, standing), 1st Lt. Lucas Will (right, standing), Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas (far left, standing) and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott (right, kneeling). The four Airmen from Kadena Air Base's 33rd Rescue Squadron, were recently announced as the 2009 MacKay Trophy winners. (Courtesy photo)

33rd RQS crew earns MacKay Trophy

Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas, HH-60G aerial gunner, scans the terrain for threats in Afghanistan July 17, 2009. Sergeant Thomas, along with Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, were recently announced as the winners of the MacKay Trophy and the Jolly Green Association Award for a mission to rescue Army Soldiers and fellow Airmen July 29, 2009 during their deployment to Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. At the time of the mission they were attached to the 129th ERQS. (Courtesy Photo)

Rescue Crew Takes MacKay Trophy

Published June 6, 2010

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- The National Aeronautics Association selected four Airmen from Kadena Air Base Japan who comprised Pedro 16 of the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for the 2009 MacKay Trophy. Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, the crew of, an HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter, have been recognized for the MacKay Trophy year's most meritorious flight. The crew will be recognized by Air Force leaders this fall when the MacKay Trophy is officially presented in Washington, D.C. for their efforts in saving the crew of a downed Air Force aircraft and three Soldiers in Afghanistan. The downed aircraft, Pedro 15, consisted of 129th Rescue Squadron HH-60G pilots Major George Dona and Capt. Mary Jennings, who received a Purple Heart for this mission, along with 129th RQS flight engineer Senior Master Sgt. Steven Burt and 129th RQS aerial gunner Tech Sgt. Tiejie Jones, all assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing from Moffett Federal Airfield. During a July 29, 2009, mission, Pedro 16 directed rescue operations by Pedro 15 to retrieve wounded soldiers from an active firefight, kept in radio contact with the ground commander, and provided emergency close air support, returning fire themselves and acting as forward air control for two Army OH-58 helicopters. The MacKay Trophy, which dates back to 1912, and the Jolly Green Association's most outstanding rescue mission of the year awards bring even more acclaim to the 33rd Rescue Squadron.