Reservists honored for rescue efforts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shawn David McCowan
  • 943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) --  More than 40 members of the 943rd Rescue Group here were honored Sept. 10 here for their service during rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Members of the 305th and 306th Rescue Squadrons, 943rd Maintenance and other support units were honored by military leaders and public officials.

Tucson, Ariz., Mayor Robert Walkup, keynote speaker at the event, spoke of his perspective of last year's events.

"I didn't have to make the call to this unit. By the time I heard we may need to send our men and women, they were already preparing to deploy. In the midst of this terrible tragedy were our brave Airmen, ready to help," said Mayor Walkup. 

"I know how hard these men and women worked because I was there with them. Just returning from Afghanistan, they immediately prepared to leave for Louisiana and then Mississippi. I didn't hear any complaining. It's in our blood," said Col. Robert Dunn, 943rd Rescue Group commander and co-presenter at the ceremony.

Chief Master Sgt. Craig Bergman, chief of the 943rd Maintenance Squadron and one of the recipients of the Humanitarian Service Medal, said this was just another example of Reserve readiness.

"This is an Air Force Reserve of volunteers. We knew it would be long days and nights and we knew it wouldn't be easy. But we had so many reservists wanting to help that we had to turn some away. Once we were there it was impossible to tell who was active, Guard or Reserve. We were one force," said Chief Bergman.

Chief Bergman also said he was touched to see those who served during last year's rescue efforts were being recognized so publicly.

According to the award citiation, the first maintenance crews were mobilized and deployed within eight hours to Jackson Air National Guard Base, Miss., to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Maintainers directly supported nine Reserve and Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters to fly 109 sorties for 357 hours, enabling the rescue of 1,043 people. In the total force effort, 4,306 men, women and children were rescued. Joint Task Force Katrina is now known as the largest rescue effort in Air Force history.