Air Force Reserve rescuers return from Africa

An Air Force Reserve Command HC-130 aircraft lands on an unimproved airstrip in Africa. The 920th Rescue Wing from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., sent about 100 reservists to Djibouti, Africa, to provide combat search-and-rescue support for two months. The last group of 28 reservists returned to Patrick AFB on May 14, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Grande)

Air Force Reserve rescuers return from Africa

Published May 14, 2009
By Capt. Cathleen Snow
920th Rescue Wing

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Twenty eight more Airmen from Patrick's 920th Rescue Wing came home May 14.

They were the last group of wing reservists to return from Djibouti, Africa. About 100 aircrew, pararescue, maintenance and support people were mobilized and sent to Africa.

The Air Force Reserve Command wing also deployed two HC-130P/N Hercules aircraft to Africa. The planes operated out of Camp Le Monier, on the southwest side of the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport.

While overseas, the reservists flew combat search-and-rescue support in the Horn of Africa region, which included the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

The HC-130s provided an extended-range refueling capacity to helicopter rescue units operating in the area. The planes also served as platforms to insert pararescuemen and other special operators into areas where they supported ongoing operations.

A week earlier another 30 Airmen from the wing returned home on the deployed HC-130P/N aircraft. (Air Force Reserve News Service)