SOUTHWEST ASIA --- Since the war on terrorism began, deployed reservists from the 920th Rescue Group at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., have been on active duty for six months or more supporting not only Operation Southern Watch but also Operation Enduring Freedom.
"As a low-density, high-demand unit, our operations tempo is at an all time high," said Lt. Col. Alan, 332nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron commander. "We expect our people will spend from 168 to 230 days deployed this year, more than some of our active-duty counterparts in rescue units."
To answer the call, the Reserve unit is rotating members of the 920th RQG, which includes HC-130 crewmembers, Pararescue specialists, life support specialists, as well as operations and administrative personnel from the group's 39th Rescue Squadron along with maintenance teams from the 920th Maintenance Squadron. The squadron is rotating half its members between Southwest Asia and home station.
"This deployment commitment is normally reserved for an active-duty unit twice our size," said Maj. Scott, deployed director of operations. "None of us questions the call to duty, but I'm concerned about the extraordinarily high operations tempo."
Even with the high ops tempo of the unit, the colonel and major both agree that morale in the unit is high and everyone is working together to accomplish the mission. The unit is equipped to refuel HH-60 helicopters, insert pararescuemen to conduct combat-search-and-rescue operations and, in cases of emergencies, provide intra-theater airlift capability.
Master Sgt. Pete, a pararescueman, said the unit is conducting jump, marksmanship and medical training along with diving to ensure the pararescuemen are ready if a combat search and rescue is launched.
"The guys are all ready to execute the mission," Pete said. "We don't wish bad luck for anyone, but we are just looking for one good save."
Maintenance is the key to success, said Alan.
"To date we have not had to cancel an Operation Southern Watch sortie due to HC-130 maintenance," he said. "Our mission capable rate is higher than what it is at home station, which is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the maintenance folks."
For maintenance officer Capt. Andres, keeping the HC-130 fleet flying has been a challenge that his people have faced despite the heat and the increased ops tempo.
Andres said, for example, that the squadron was able to complete an engine change in an eight-hour night shift instead of the 12 hours it normally takes.
"Our job is to ensure aircraft are always ready to go, no matter what the problem is," he said.
The captain said while some of the time is spent sitting and waiting, most of the maintenance folks have kept themselves busy by building walls in tents, repairing televisions and videocassette recorders for billeting and volunteering for base cleanup. The unit has also had fuels and avionic specialists help the 305th RQS, the Reserve HH-60 Pave Hawk unit from Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz., with maintenance.
Despite the all-time high ops tempo, the members of the 920th RQG are poised and ready to help when the call is received, whether it is to save a downed pilot or help a sister init with maintenance support.
"With the moral support of the public and the obvious need to fight the war against terrorism, we have all stepped up to answer the call," Alan said
