MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. - Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing departed here today at 7:15 a.m. to provide search and rescue support for the firefighting operations in Southern California.
Two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters transported 16 crewmembers, including pararescuemen, aircrew, and maintainers, to Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Calif., which is where the 129th Airmen will be based while supporting search and rescue efforts.
"Members of the 129th Rescue Wing are motivated to assist the state and our fellow Californians because when it comes right down to it, we are citizens helping citizens," said Col. Amos Bagdasarian, 129th Rescue Wing Commander. "We are prepared and ready to provide any support that is requested from local and state authorities."
Once in place, the Airmen will be on search and rescue alert for potential missions. They can be tasked to perform civilian recovery and official transport missions.
An MC-130P Combat Shadow tanker and crew stationed here remains on stand-by to support the firefighting operations.
As an Air National Guard unit, many of the 129th's past missions involved supporting the Governor's office during state emergencies, which included earthquakes, chemical spills, fires and floods.
During the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, the 129th established Command Post operations and was chosen to coordinate all military aircraft activities within the Bay Area. The 129th provided air transportation for State and Federal government officials to survey damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1991 Oakland Hills fire.
The primary mission of the 129th RQW is to train and be prepared to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world. In addition to its wartime mission, the unit also works closely with the Coast Guard and various civil agencies on state missions.
Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow tankers and HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, the 129th has performed a wide variety of civilian search and rescue missions, including distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations. The total number of people saved by the 129th RQW is 558.
Please contact Capt. Alyson Teeter at (650) 793-1749 for more information.