Reservists deploy to support Hurricane Ike SAR missions

Seventeen Reservists from the 943rd Rescue Group deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Sept 13, 2008 on a C-130J Hercules Aircraft from the 815th Airlift Squadron from Keesler, Miss. to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas to assist with the search and rescue mission brought on by Hurricane Ike. Loadmasters, Senior Master Sgt. Larry Loeding, (center) and MSgt Darren Bannister give the Airmen a passenger briefing before departing D-M. The Reservists are Airmen made up of various specialists, aircraft mechanics, intelligence specialists, and ground radio specialists. They deployed with two pallets of equipment to sustain the SAR missions. Once at Randolph, they will become part of the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, a joint search and rescue unit of more than 400 personnel and about 20 Air Force and Coast Guard HH-60 helicopters and four HC-130 aircraft. These Airmen will maintain the helicopters, provide situational awareness to the aircrews in flight, and manage the ground to air communications. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Ruby Zarzyczny)