An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Reservists honored for hurricane rescue efforts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shawn David McCowan
  • 943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  More than 40 reservists in the 943rd Rescue Group here received honors Sept. 10 for their service during rescue efforts following last year's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The reservists belong to Air Force Reserve Command's 305th Rescue Squadron, 306th RQS, 943rd Maintenance Squadron and other group support units.

Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup was keynote speaker at the event. He spoke on his perspective of last year's events.

"I didn't have to make the call to this unit. By the time I heard we may need to send our men and women, they were already preparing to deploy. In the midst of this terrible tragedy were our brave Airmen, ready to help," said Mayor Walkup.

Col. Robert Dunn, 943rd RQG commander and co-presenter at the ceremony, spoke briefly to the assembled group about his personal perspective of last year's missions.

"I know how hard these men and women worked because I was there with them. Just returning from Afghanistan, they immediately prepared to leave for Louisiana and then Mississippi. I didn't hear any complaining. It's in our blood," said Colonel Dunn.

Chief Master Sgt. Craig Bergman, chief of the 943rd MXS and one of the recipients of the Humanitarian Service Medal, said this was just another example of Reserve readiness.

"This is an Air Force Reserve of volunteers. We knew it would be long days and nights and we knew it wouldn't be easy. But we had so many reservists wanting to help that we had to turn some away. Once we were there it was impossible to tell who was active, Guard or Reserve. We were one force," said Chief Bergman.

Chief Bergman also said he was touched to see those who served during last year's rescue efforts were being recognized so publicly.

Other military leaders were present to honor the Airmen including Col. Kent Laughbaum, commander of the active force's 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, and Col. Joseph Trippy, vice commander of the Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. Colonels Trippy and Dunn were both presenters at the ceremony. (AFRC News Service)