Rescue wing sends replacements to Afghanistan Published Dec. 28, 2008 By 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A group of Air Force reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here departed on the last leg of a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan Dec. 27 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Approximately 40 helicopter aircrew members, maintenance specialists and logistics and support personnel gathered with their friends and families at the wing's helicopter squadron for tearful farewells. The reservists are on their way to replace a similar-sized group of rescue-wing Airmen already in Afghanistan supporting the U.S. Army medical evacuation operation. Rescue wing Airmen from Florida -- and from the wing's sister units in Arizona and Oregon -- began the MEDEVAC deployment in February. Since then, they have saved more than 300 lives. A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate medical evacuation, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight. In addition, wing Airmen have also recorded nearly 350 assists -- evacuations where LLE were not in immediate danger. The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing servicemembers isolated in combat--such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines. The MEDEVAC deployment marks the first time the 920th has undertaken the role for the U.S. Army. The reservists are due to return early this summer.