129th Rescue Wing
Encyclopedia
The 129th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard
combat search and rescue (CSAR) unit operationally gained by the Air Combat Command
(ACC). The unit's history dates to April 1955, when it was activated as the 129th Air Resupply Group of the California Air National Guard
. In 1975, the 129th transitioned to a new mission, air rescue, and was operationally gained within the U.S. Air Force by the then-Tactical Air Command
(TAC). The 129th moved to Naval Air Station Moffett Field (now Moffett Federal Airfield
), its current location, in May 1980. In 1992, the unit received its current designation as the "129th Rescue Wing." By the end of August 2009, it had 786 saves
including the longest air-sea rescue
, first combat save of ANG rescue service, over 200 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
.
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.
The 129th has been routinely assigned to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
and blue background with two elongated star
s 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.
wreath vert; in sinister flank two mullets of four points of the third, all within a diminished bordure of the first.
and the colors red, white and blue for the United States of America. The sword symbolizes strength in war; the wreath symbolizes the peacetime
mission. The deep blue field with the two stars and the gold field signify the nighttime and daytime environment
s in which the wing operates.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
combat search and rescue (CSAR) unit operationally gained by the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC). The unit's history dates to April 1955, when it was activated as the 129th Air Resupply Group of the California Air National Guard
California Air National Guard
The California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
. In 1975, the 129th transitioned to a new mission, air rescue, and was operationally gained within the U.S. Air Force by the then-Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(TAC). The 129th moved to Naval Air Station Moffett Field (now Moffett Federal Airfield
Moffett Federal Airfield
Moffett Federal Airfield , also known as Moffett Field, is a joint civil-military airport located between northern Mountain View and northern Sunnyvale, California, USA. The airport is near the south end of San Francisco Bay, northwest of San Jose. Formerly a United States Navy facility, the former...
), its current location, in May 1980. In 1992, the unit received its current designation as the "129th Rescue Wing." By the end of August 2009, it had 786 saves
including the longest air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
, first combat save of ANG rescue service, over 200 combat saves, and more than 530 civilian saves. The 129th "starred" in The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm (film)
The Perfect Storm is a 2000 dramatic disaster film directed by Wolfgang Petersen. It is an adaptation of the 1997 non-fiction book of the same title by Sebastian Junger about the crew of the Andrea Gail that got caught in the Perfect Storm of 1991. The film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg,...
supplying aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
and aircrew in support of the film's production. The film includes the story of exceptional rescues by the New York Air National Guard
New York Air National Guard
The New York Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission...
's 106th Rescue Wing
106th Rescue Wing
The 106th Rescue Wing is an Air National Guard unit stationed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, New York. The mission of the wing is combat search and rescue. During peacetime, the unit also provides search and rescue services to the maritime community and NASA...
.
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 variants of the C-130 Hercules, 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
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
. 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
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD), the mission is to provide disaster
Disaster
A disaster is a natural or man-made hazard that has come to fruition, resulting in an event of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, or drastic change to the environment...
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.
The 129th has been routinely assigned to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Emblem description
The Air Force Shield, bordered in white, a goldGold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
and blue background with two elongated star
Star
A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...
s 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 oliveOlive
The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the...
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 ForceAir force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
and the colors red, white and blue for the United States of America. The sword symbolizes strength in war; the wreath symbolizes the peacetime
Peacetime
In politics, peacetime is defined as any period of time where there are no violent conflicts occurring. For example, the time after World War II is considered peacetime in Western Europe and the United States....
mission. The deep blue field with the two stars and the gold field signify the nighttime and daytime environment
Social environment
The social environment of an individual, also called social context or milieu, is the culture that s/he was educated or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom the person interacts....
s in which the wing operates.
Major Command/Gaining Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(2005–Present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations CommandAir Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(2003–2005) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992–2003) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1990–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(1984–1990) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1956–1984) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Continental Air CommandContinental Air CommandContinental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
(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 Squadron129th Rescue SquadronThe 129th Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. It flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and MC-130P Combat Shadow for its missions. Its parent unit is the 129th Rescue Wing.-Mission:...
(129 RQS) - 130th Rescue Squadron130th Rescue SquadronThe 130th Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. It currently flies the HH-60G Pavehawk and MC-130P Combat Shadow for its missions. Its parent unit is the 129th Rescue Wing.-Mission:...
(130 RQS) - 131st Rescue Squadron131st Rescue SquadronThe 131st Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. It is assigned to the 129th Operations Group, which falls under the 129th Rescue Wing.-Mission:...
(131 RQS) - 129th Operations Support Flight (129 OSF)
- 129th Rescue Squadron
- 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 MedicCombat medicCombat medics are trained military personnel who are responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield. They are also responsible for providing continuing medical care in the absence of a readily available physician, including care for disease and battle injury...
al Group (129 MDG) - 561st Air Force Band (561 AFB)
Bases Stationed
- Naval Air Station Moffett Field / Moffett Federal AirfieldMoffett Federal AirfieldMoffett Federal Airfield , also known as Moffett Field, is a joint civil-military airport located between northern Mountain View and northern Sunnyvale, California, USA. The airport is near the south end of San Francisco Bay, northwest of San Jose. Formerly a United States Navy facility, the former...
(1980–Present) - Hayward Airport (1956–1980)
Aircraft operated
- MC-130P Combat Shadow (2002–Present)
- HC-130P Hercules (1980–2002)
- 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 BoxcarC-119 Flying BoxcarThe Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
(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.
- GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
'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 GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
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 GuardUnited States National GuardThe National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
Bureau Meritorious Service Award, 1973 - Air Force AssociationAir Force AssociationThe Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
(Tennessee Ernie Ford Chapter), Outstanding Organization Award, 1985 - Royal Air Force Benevolence FundRAF Benevolent FundThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF - regardless of rank - as well as their partners and dependents.They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide...
(United Kingdom) Straddling Trophy for Aircraft Concours d’Elegance Competition, International Air Tattoo ‘85, RAF Fairfield, England, 1985 - Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
, Distinguished Flying Unit Award - Air National Guard, Distinguished Flying Unit, 1987
- Chuck Yeager AerospaceAerospaceAerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
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