Air Force Week provides a look behind, beyond the gates

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) --  With more than 35,000 Airmen currently deployed across the globe in support of contingency operations, the theme of Air Force Week is Honoring Hometown Heroes, and it's taking place at Cocoa Beach, Fla.

To gain momentum for the weeklong event of Air Force recruiting magnificence, Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing teamed up with their active-duty hosts and mission partners, the Airmen from the 45th Space Wing, here to showcase airpower to members of the media during media day Oct. 25.

Airmen from the two wings pulled out all of the stops with an in-depth look behind the scenes of their air and space assets and their support for manned space exploration.

The event will highlight the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win, in air, space and cyberspace, and celebrate the sacrifices Airmen make everyday carrying out their duties. There are only two Air Force Weeks scheduled annually. The other was held earlier this year in New York City.

Central Florida citizens will be treated to high-speed fly bys over Orlando theme parks, aircraft static displays, media flights, free concerts, barbecues, aerial demonstrations, school and hospital visits, and it all ends with a free air show at Cocoa Beach on the weekend.

During media day, 920th RW Airmen flew media around the Cape Canaveral Air Station and its neighbor, Kennedy Space Center, where they flew past Space Shuttle Discovery as it prepares for its last launch Nov. 1.

The ground and aerial tour of the space shuttle not only showcased the third to the last manned space flight launch, but the support both the 45th Space Wing and 920th Rescue Wing continually give to NASA.

The 920th RW Airmen specifically are charged as guardians of the astronauts and have been tasked with rescuing them if there were a Mode 1 through 8 contingency, 8 being the worst case scenario, a bail out of the shuttle over the ocean upon lift off.