Citizen Airmen Reservists stay with their rescue aircaft througout Hurricane Irma

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brandon Kalloo Sanes | Avalon Park, Florida native, Senior Airman Alexander Beaty, defender, 920th Security Forces Squadron, poses with first responders September 10, 2017, in front of a 920th rescue helicopter, or HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Roughly a dozen 920th SFS defenders and maintenance Airmen took up residence inside the OCCC with other first responders from around the country during hurricane Irma to provide security and maintenance to the six Air Force helicopters that were relocated to the OCCC from Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, to provide rescue services to those in need after the storm. The medical professionals depicted in the picture are from Phoenix, Arizona (left) and Denver, Colorado (right). (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brandon Kalloo Sanes)  

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES

09.10.2017

Story by Senior Airman Brandon Kalloo Sanes 

920th Rescue Wing

U.S. Air Force Reserve Story by Senior Airman Brandon Kalloo Sanes

While Hurricane Irma began pounding its way through Florida, Citizen Airmen Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, took up residence along with their rescue aircraft at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando September 7 - 12, 2017..

The Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue wing relocated three HH-60G “Jolly” Pave Hawk helicopters to Orlando; and two HC-130P/N “King” fixed-wing aerial refueling aircraft to Georgia, along with aircrews, maintenance and security forces defenders.

“From Orlando we are able to better coordinate with federal agencies such as FEMA to set up a game plan after the hurricane passes,” said Technical Sgt. Gary McGraw (Brunswick, Maine native), aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 920th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “We wanted to be centrally located to allow our aviators to respond quickly in any direction.”

During the worst of the storm, the convention center served as a temporary hub for several rescue entities, including the 920th RQW. First responders here, traveled from as far away as Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona.

“We are working 12-hour shifts to provide 24/7 security for our aircraft,” said Orlando resident, Senior Airman Curtis Neraasen, 920th Security Forces Squadron defender. “Orange County Fire Rescue provided us with cots and we have been sleeping next to our helicopters since Thursday.”

“The Orange County Convention Center was very helpful,” said Neraasen. “They accommodated us by providing essentials, such as food and water. The staff here even brought us an American Flag and we raised it together, to make us feel at home. They were very excited to help raise the flag and for me, that was amazing.”

The 920th RQW has saved more than 3,000 lives to date including including 235 people, 21 dogs and 5 cats after Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of Texas.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2017
• Date Posted: 09.11.2017 16:42
• Story ID: 247702
• Location: ORLANDO, FL, US