129th Rescue Wing Guardsmen Deployed to Afghanistan, Cape Horn (PHOTOS)

The California Air National deployed 75 Bay Area guardsmen from Moffett Field to Afghanistan and Djibouti on Friday, Jan. 25, the guard announced recently.

The airmen part of this recent deployment will spend four months—including St. Valentine's Day—in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and a Combined Joint Task Force in the Horn of Africa. A total of 200 service members of the 129th Rescue Wing are currently deployed.

"After demonstrating our lifesaving capabilities during stateside rescue missions this past year, our airmen are ready to perform our combat search and rescue mission overseas," said Col. Steven J. Butow, 129th Rescue Wing commander.  "The care our airmen take in every lifesaving mission is noteworthy, recognized by our families, our community and our country."

Butow added that the 129th Rescue Wing will serve in the Sudan and Somalia, according to the Mountain View Voice.

CBS Channel 5 interviewed several service guardsmen set to deploy about the dangers of their mission and captured video of their preparation at Moffett Field.

The airmen took with them an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 129th Rescue Squadron aboard a C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft.

To remind the service members that people continue to think of them, Senator Jerry Hill will join South San Francisco seniors to make valentines for the 129th Rescue Wing deployed airmen.

"I look forward to joining the South City seniors in their valentine crafts project each year," said Hill, D-San Mateo. "Their handcrafted cards with messages of pride, gratitude and encouragement will make this coming Valentine’s Day extra special for those deployed with the 129th Rescue Wing."

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