Kisses!

California Air National Guardsmen assigned with the 129th Rescue Wing return home from the Horn of Africa, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., June 5, 2015. Pararescuemen and Combat Rescue Officers of the Wing’s 131st Rescue Squadron served as the primary personnel recovery force for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) throughout their deployment. While deployed, the Wing’s guardsmen have been supporting CJTF-HOA’s multinational counterinsurgency and stabilization operations throughout the region. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Kim E. Ramirez/Released)

Welcome home!

Silicon Valley Air National Guardsmen Return from Overseas Deployment

Published June 8, 2015
By 129th Public Affairs

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing returned home from a four-month deployment to the Horn of Africa early Saturday morning.

Approximately 30 Pararescuemen (PJs) and Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) of the Wing's 131st Rescue Squadron served as the primary personnel recovery force for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) throughout their deployment. While deployed, the Wing's guardsmen have been supporting CJTF-HOA's multinational counterinsurgency and stabilization operations throughout the region.

In April, the PJs were involved in the rescue of two Saudi Arabian airmen after their F-15 fighter jet crashed in the Gulf of Aden.

"The return of our air guardsmen is punctuated by the rescue of two Saudi fighter pilots during their deployment," said Col. Gregory F. Jones, 129th Rescue Wing commander. "We are proud to welcome home our warriors after a job well done."

To date, 129th Rescue Wing is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,000 people. From arid deserts and snow-covered mountain tops to urban and rural settings, 129th Rescue Wing air guardsmen can reach any destination by land, air or sea. Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and Guardian Angel teams (PJs and CROs), the 129th Rescue Wing conducts combat search and rescue, and the rescue of distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations.