USAF officials honored the C-9 Nightingale for its legendary service in aeromedical evacuation in a ceremony unveiling a static display of the aircraft at Lackland AFB, Tex. The aircraft, named for nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, was the only aircraft specifically designed for patient movement. The first C-9 entered service in 1968 and the last retired from service with Air Force Reserve Command last year. Guest speaker Maj. Gen. Melissa Rank, assistant Air Force surgeon general for medical force development and nursing services, called the C-9 the “flagship” and noted that “the very sight of the red cross on the tail was a symbol of hope, care, and relief to servicemen and women at home and abroad, in time of war and peace.”
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…