Air Force Association recognizes Florida Reserve Wing

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing were awarded with the Air Force Association Unit Award Sept. 18, during the awards ceremony at the annual Air, Space & Cyberspace Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

The wing was recognized for its outstanding effort in rescuing two German Citizens whose sailboat caught fire and sunk 500 miles off the east coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida in July 2017. After being alerted to the incident, the wing immediately employed a rescue plan that utilized approximately 80 Reserve Citizen Airmen to execute a long-range over water rescue operation resulting in saving the life of both men and transporting them to an Orlando, Florida hospital for further care.

The theme for this year's AFA conference is "Multi-Domain Operations: Leveraging the Full Spectrum," and takes place Sept. 17-19. The professional development symposium is touted as the nation's premier event for defense and aerospace professionals from around the world bringing together senior leaders and experts from government, industry and academia.

It includes engaging speakers and panels focused on airpower, space, and cyber developments to the technology exposition featuring the latest technology, equipment and solutions for tomorrow's problems.

The 920th RQW is a combat-search-and-rescue unit at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida comprised of 2,000 Air Force Reservists spread out to three geographically separated units, one at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Portland Airport, Portland, Oregon; Joint Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Its motto is, "These things we do, that others may live."