Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., dispatched an HC-130P/N to aid the Coast Guard in a search for 31 Dominican migrants over the weekend, reports Capt. Cathleen Snow. The Coast Guard asked for help to search more than 2,400 square miles between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The 920th RQW aircrew had to fly about 3.5 hours to reach their search area and flew another 1.5 hours on scene before hearing that the Coast Guard had spotted the missing people. They continued their patrol to ensure all had been picked up.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.