Silicon Valley-based Guard Airmen support Saudi pilots rescue

from 129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

4/2/2015 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- Pararescuemen from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing were involved in the rescue of two Saudi Arabian airmen from the Gulf of Aden after their two-seater Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagel aircraft crashed March 26.

The California Guard Airmen are trained to execute personnel-recovery missions anywhere in the world, from arid deserts to snow-covered mountains.

Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, and Combat Rescue Officers of the 129th Rescue Wing's 131st Rescue Squadron have been providing personnel recovery support for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa during their deployment to the region.

"No matter what the environment or the circumstances, our Air Guardsmen always rise to the occasion," said Col. Gregory F. Jones, 129th Rescue Wing commander. "In every rescue our Air Guardsmen perform, they live up to the Air Force Rescue motto: 'That Others May Live.'"

While deployed these airmen have been supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's ongoing multinational, joint, interagency, intergovernmental counter insurgency and stabilization operations throughout the region.

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, the primary mission of the 129th Rescue Wing is to perform personnel recovery anywhere in the world. Equipped with Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and Guardian Angel teams, the 129th Rescue Wing performs a wide variety of civilian and military personnel-recovery missions, including the rescue of distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations. To date, the 129th is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,000 people.

Please contact 1st Lt. Roderick B. Bersamina at (650) 404-7995 more information.