Back-Up Plan for the Back-Up:

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The Air National Guard not only organized air cover for the recent shuttle launch, but also set up emergency landing sites at various airports around the country. Shuttle Atlantis landed at its primary back-up site, Edwards AFB, Calif., but Air Guardsmen had to establish emergency response teams and communications links at three of the nine airports in the shuttle’s flight path—just in case. TSgt. Mike Smith with the National Guard Bureau reports that ANG pararescue crews were standing by in New York and Florida, ready for an Atlantic Ocean rescue, if needed.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org