Deployed Guardsmen of 129th Rescue Wing Return from Tour of Duty

Approximately 150 members of the 129th Rescue Wing have begun to return from nearly four-months in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, the California Air National Guard announced Friday.

Throughout the day Monday and week, the unit's HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and MC-130P Combat Shadow refueling airplanes along with the unit’s Guardian Angel Pararescuemen will also return.

"We are proud to welcome our heroes home after this year’s historic deployments," said Col. Steven J. Butow, 129th Rescue Wing commander.  "Their return punctuates their achievements which lead us to reach a millennial milestone of over 1,000 lives saved."

The 1000th life was saved on May 18th when while on deployment members of the 129th rescued an Afghan national policeman who had suffered a gunshot wound.

To date the 129th has rescued 1,003 in more than 400 combat saves.

As part of their duties, the 129th assisted in search and rescue missions in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.