Rescue Airmen return home after saving lives Published Feb. 7, 2012 By Capt. Cathleen Snow 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Approximately 70 Reserve Airman from the 920th Rescue Wing here returned home Feb. 6 and 7 after a five-month deployment to Afghanistan as part of a combat-search-and-rescue team supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Helicopter pilots, aircrew, pararescuemen, maintenance and support personnel were part of the 920th's year-long deployment to provide combat rescue and medical evacuation operations. During this rotation, the reservists are credited with flying more than 726 rescue missions, saving 490 lives and assisting in saving another 458 lives. A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight. The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing service members isolated or injured in combat - such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines or combatants injured on the battlefield. This deployment was one of many for the Rescue Reservists. Operational requirements remain high due to the nature of this mission. Nearly 100 Airmen from the wing remain deployed in various locations throughout the world. For more information about the 920th RQW, log on to the wing's Web site: www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.