Some 800 airmen, 91 aircraft, and 31 equipment packages deployed by the Air Force to aid search and rescue operations for Hurricane Rita are getting set to return to their normal duty stations. The pararescue teams flew 57 missions, saving a total of 10 people and assisting in five other “saves.” The SAR force comprised a mix of active and reserve elements. (DR, 0928/05)
Demonstrating capabilities needed for its Agile Combat Employment concept of operating from scattered locations with a minimal logistics footprint, the Air Force flew an MQ-9 Reaper remotely-piloted aircraft across the Pacific, operating with none of its usual launch-and-recovery gear and with non-expert ground crews. It required only seven people and…