129th Rescue Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 129th Rescue Wing


caption=129th Rescue Wing Emblem
dates= 1955-Present
country=
allegiance=
branch= Air National Guard
type= Wing
role= Rescue
size=
command_structure= Air National Guard/colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
equipment=
equipment_label=
battles=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=
disbanded=
commander1= Colonel Amos Bagdasarian
commander1_label=Commander
commander2=Colonel Wayne H. Albright
commander2_label=Vice Commander
commander3=Chief Master Sergeant Kristina P. Keck
commander3_label=Command Chief Master Sergeant
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=
identification_symbol_3=
identification_symbol_3_label=
identification_symbol_4=
identification_symbol_4_label=
aircraft_attack=
aircraft_bomber=
aircraft_electronic=
aircraft_fighter=
aircraft_helicopter= 6 HH-60G Pave Hawk
aircraft_interceptor=
aircraft_patrol=
aircraft_recon=
aircraft_trainer=
aircraft_transport=4 Lockheed MC-130P Combat Shadow

The 129th Rescue Wing dates to April 1955, when it was activated as the 129th Air Resupply Groupcite web "> url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/129rqw.htm | title = 129th Rescue Wing (129th RQW) | accessdate = 2006-09-09 | work = GlobeSecurity.org] of the California Air National Guard. In 1975 the Wing transferred to a new mission, air rescue, and a new command, the United States Air Force. The Wing moved to Moffett Field, its current location, in 1984. In 1992 the Wing received its current designation, "129th Rescue Wing."cite web | url=http://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil/history/ | title = 129th Rescue Wing official site, history page | accessdate = 2008-07-18| work = af.mil] By the end of July 2008, it had 560 savescite web | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9919742?IADID | title = Risky rescue: Fisherman counts on ocean maneuver by valley-based team | accessdate = 2008-07-18| work = Mercurynews.com] including the longest at-sea rescue, first combat save of ANG rescue service, over 20 combat saves, and more than 530 civilian saves. The 129th "starred" in "The Perfect Storm" supplying aircraft and aircrew in support of the film's production. The film includes the story of exceptional rescues by the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing.

Mission

Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, the 129th Rescue Wing's mission is to train and prepare to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world. The unit also works closely with the Coast Guard and various civil agencies on state missions. Equipped with MC-130P Combat Shadow tankers, HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, and the Guardian Angel weapon system, the 129th has performed a wide variety of civilian search and rescue missions, including distressed persons aboard ships, lost or injured hikers, and medical evacuations.

The primary mission is to prepare for wartime taskings as specified by applicable gaining commands. The peacetime mission is under the control of the Governor of California. Upon mobilization, primary specified mission is combat search and rescue (CSAR). When directed by the California State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and/or the Department of Defense (DoD), the mission is to provide disaster relief support as required. This includes search and rescue (SAR) assistance to civil authorities, including International Civil Aeronautics Organization (ICAO) signatories, and foreign governments.

Federal Mission (United States Air Force): To provide manpower, material and equipment resources to conduct and complete combat search and rescue operations on a worldwide basis. To provide manpower, material and equipment to conduct and complete peacetime search operations.

State Mission (California Air National Guard): To furnish trained personnel to respond to state emergencies, such as natural disasters, and to assist civil authorities in the enforcement of the law.

July 2, 2008, crews from the 129th Rescue Squadron were certified to perform water bucket operations, making the 129th the only rescue unit in the Air Force and Air National Guard qualified to fight fires.cite web | url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50425 | title = Air Guard Rescue Unit Certifies in Firefighting Technique | accessdate = 2008-07-18| work = defenselink.mil]

The 129th has been assigned to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

History

Insignia

Emblem description

The Air Force Shield, bordered in white, a gold and blue background with two elongated stars in the blue field. A silver braid sword with red handle and hand protector divides the gold and blue fields. Superimposed over the sword and both fields is an olive wreath in green. The unit name is in blue on a white scroll.

Emblem blazon

Par pale or and azure, a sword in pale, point up, blade argent, hilt gules, surmounted by an olive wreath vert; in sinister flank two mullets of four points of the third, all within a diminished bordure of the first.

Emblem significance

The emblem bears the colors of deep blue and gold for the Air Force and the colors red, white and blue for our nation. The sword symbolizes our strength in war, the wreath our peacetime mission. The deep blue field with the two stars and the gold field signify the nighttime and daytime environments in which we operate.

Major Command/Gaining Command

*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1956-1992)
*Air National Guard/Continental Air Command (1956)

Previous designations

*129th Rescue Wing (1 October 1995-Present)
*129th Rescue Group, 16 March 1992
*129th Air Rescue Group, 1 October 1989
*129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, 3 May 1975
*129th Special Operations Group, 8 August 1968
*129th Air Commando Group, 1 July 1963
*129th Troop Carrier Group (Medium), 28 January 1962
*129th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 November 1958
*Allocated to the National Guard Bureau (NGB), 3 April 1955
*129th Air Resupply Group, 3 April 1955

Units assigned

*129th Maintenance Group (129 MXG)
**129th Maintenance Squadron (129 MXS)
**129th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (129 AMX)
**129th Maintenance Operations Flight (129 MOF)
*129th Operations Group (129 OG)
**129th Rescue Squadron (RQS)
**130th Rescue Squadron (130 RQS)
**131st Rescue Squadron (131 RQS
**129th Operations Support Flight (129 OSF)
*129th Mission Support Group (129 MSG)
**129th Civil Engineering Squadron (129 CES)
**129th Logistics Squadron (129 LRS)
**129th Security Forces Squadron (129 SFS)
**129th Mission Support Flight (129 MSF)
**129th Communications Flight (129 CF)
**129th Services Flight (129 SVF)
*129th Medical Group (129 MDG)
*561st Air Force Band (561 AFB)

Bases Stationed

*Moffett Federal Airfield (1984-Present)
*Hayward Airport (1956-1984)

Aircraft operated

*MC-130P Combat Shadow (19??-Present)
*HH-60G Pave Hawk (1991-Present)
*HH-3E Jolly Green Giant (1975-1991)
*U-10D Super Courier (1968-1975)
*U-6A Beaver (1968-1975)
*Cessna U-3A (1968-1975)
*C-119 Flying Boxcar (1968-1975)
*SA-16 Albatross (1963-1968)

Decorations

* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [6] ; 23 December 1964–17 January 1965; 1st Device, 12 June 1984–11 June 1986; 2nd Device, 1 April 1989–31 March 1991; 3rd Device, 8 June 1995–7 June 1997; 4th Device, 1 August 1998–31 July 2000; 5th Device, 1 August 2000–31 July 2002.
* Governor's (California) Outstanding Unit Citation, 1 May 1986–30 April 1987
* The Adjutant General's (California) Meritorious Unit Citation; 1964, 1965, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1984
* United States Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device; 1 May 1981–1 October 1981; 1st Device, 26 February 1984–15 November 1985; 2nd Device, 31 January 2000–28 February 2000

Other wing awards and decorations

* Air National Guard Meritorious Service Award, 1972
* National Guard Bureau Meritorious Service Award, 1973
* Air Force Association (Tennessee Ernie Ford Chapter), Outstanding Organization Award, 1985
* Royal Air Force Benevolence Fund (United Kingdom) Straddling Trophy for Aircraft Concours d’Elegance Competition, International Air Tattoo ‘85, RAF Fairfield, England, 1985
* Military Airlift Command, Distinguished Flying Unit Award
* Air National Guard, Distinguished Flying Unit, 1987
* Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award, 1993
* Founders & Patriots of America, Outstanding National Guard Unit Award,
** April 1996
** March 2001
** December 2004
* Air National Guard Association, Spaatz Trophy, 1998
* Air Force Association, Outstanding Unit Award (Outstanding ANG Unit of the Year), 1999
* Air Combat Command Flight Safety Award, 10 October 2000–30 September 2001
* Air Force Association, Outstanding ANG Flying Unit Award, 2002

References

External links

* [https://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil/ Official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/129thRescueWing Official YouTube account]
* [http://www.129aha.org/ 129th Alumni and Heritage]