The California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing completed the 1,000th “save” in its four-decade-long history. Aircrews and pararescuemen deployed to Afghanistan reached the milestone on May 18 after rescuing an Afghan national policeman who had suffered a gunshot wound, according to a May 20 wing release. “The wing is credited with more than 400 combat saves and nearly 600 civilian saves. In addition, the wing has assisted in over 600 other saves,” states the release. A mission is considered a “save” if the rescued individual was in danger of losing his/her life, a limb, or eyesight. The 129th RQW is based at Moffett Federal Airfield northwest of San Jose.
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…