Rescue reservists begin deployment to Afghanistan Published March 4, 2007 By 1st Lt. Cathleen Snow 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Nearly 70 reservists in Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here left for Afghanistan March 4. Pararescuemen from the wing's 308th Rescue Squadron as well as aircrew members from its 301st Rescue Squadron, aircraft maintainers, life support, safety and administrative support people deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Some Airmen will be gone as long as four months They have spent months preparing to go overseas, but Col. Steve Kirkpatrick, 920th Rescue Wing commander, says these Airmen have been training for this kind of mission throughout their careers. "These men and women are every bit as thoroughly trained as their active-duty counterparts. Their commitment as Citizen Airmen is proven in their selfless, volunteer dedication. They leave behind their families, their jobs and their friends to protect the freedoms of every American. I'm extremely proud of each and every one of them," said Colonel Kirkpatrick. This deployment is part of the Air Force's Aerospace Expeditionary Force rotations. Units are chosen to deploy in pre-assembled groups on a rotational basis approximately every two years. The 920th Rescue Wing's primary mission is to provide combat search and rescue operations anywhere in the world as directed. The wing continues to have members deployed around the world in support of major areas of operation in all three areas of responsibility in the Middle East and elsewhere supporting the Global War on Terrorism. In addition to the wing's primary mission of combat search and rescue, it supports NASA and the 45th Space Wing in manned and unmanned launches and humanitarian calls for help. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)