129th Rescue Wing Airmen achieve 1000th save

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MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. (AFNS) --  Members of the 129th Rescue Wing saved their 1,000th life May 18 when deployed aircrews and pararescuemen rescued an Afghan national policeman with a critical gunshot wound in Afghanistan.

Since its inception nearly four decades ago, the 129th RQW has launched countless missions from its home station of Moffett Federal Airfield and various deployed locations resulting in 1,000 lives saved. The wing is credited with more than 400 combat saves and nearly 600 civilian saves. In addition, the wing has assisted in more than 600 other saves.

"Perhaps more impressive than the 1,000-save milestone is the realization that 70 percent of these saves have been performed in the last 10 years," said Col. Steven J. Butow, the 129th Rescue Wing commander. "Only 40 percent of our saves were performed in combat, the rest were performed here in the homeland across a broad range of environments and conditions."

"A save involves the rescue or recovery of anyone in eminent danger of losing life, limb or eyesight," said Lt. Col. Steve Silver, the 129th Operations Group commander.

Highlights over the past 30 years include recovering injured climbers from the top of Mount Shasta, rescuing critically ill sailors from the East Pacific, rescuing hurricane survivors from floodwaters, extracting trapped motorists from beneath the collapsed Cyprus structure following the Loma Prieta Earthquake, hoisting flood victims from the Russian River, and saving firemen from wildfires in remote areas throughout the state of California.

"The 129th Rescue Wing is part of an elite force of Airmen that are specifically trained and dedicated to perform the mission of personnel recovery," Butow said. "As such, the wing is often requested to execute missions that are either too risky or beyond the capability of other forces to perform. While these missions may seem routine, they are far from it. Each mission presents unique challenges that require skill and experience aided by innovation and advanced technology.

"While we take time to celebrate this proud achievement, we must also pay tribute and honor the memories of 129th Airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live," Butow said. "Like those they rescued, the lives of their families were forever changed and we will never forget them."