Space and rescue units at Patrick AFB, Fla., conducted a crash-recovery exercise together for the first time to evaluate their ability to cooperate in case of an emergency. Personnel from Patrick’s 45th Space Wing and Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing secured a mock accident scene and jointly recovered a disabled C-130 during the Jan. 25 exercise, according to a Feb. 5 base release. “The 920th brought a lot of maintenance expertise to the table and the 45th SW provided a lot of the necessary equipment and manpower for a successful recovery,” said Capt. Ryan White, the 45th SW’s airfield operations flight commander. “This paves the way for us to work together in the future,” said White, adding that the drill also sketched a clear picture of the units’ cooperative strengths and weaknesses.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…