AIRMEN TRANSPORT CRASH SURVIVORS TO REDDING HOSPITAL

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif, August 6, 2008- Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing rescued two survivors of a civilian helicopter crash last night near Junction City, Calif.

The Sikorsky S-61 firefighting helicopter was assigned to the Buckhorn Fire in the Iron Complex. Two other survivors were rescued from the crash scene.

A Moffett-based HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrew and pararescue team responded to the call from the California Office of Emergency Services. The crews picked up the two patients at approximately 9:15 p.m. from the Weaverville, Calif. airstrip and transported them to Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

129th RQW rescue teams have been in Redding on search and rescue alert in support of Operation Lightning Strike since late July, and performed two other rescue missions in the previous week. The first was a July 31 medevac mission of a firefighter who suffered a concussion while battling the Iron Complex Wildland Fire. The second mission occurred Aug. 4
near French Bear, Calif., for a heat stroke victim who had been fighting the Feather River Complex Wildland Fire.

The primary mission of the 129th RQW is to train and be prepared to perform its federal mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world. In addition, the unit also works closely with the Coast Guard and various civilian 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 563.

Capt. Alyson M. Teeter/Public Affairs
650-793-1749

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