INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER NEWS

摘要

In June, the chapter was briefed on the mission of the U.S. Air Forces 920th Rescue Wing from its commander, Col. Jeffrey Macrander. The wing's primary task is to rescue downed airmen and evacuate wounded warfighters from the battlefield. Col. Macrander said that if rescue and delivery of the wounded to further transport can occur in 30 minutes, their survival rate is 95 percent. Based at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, the wing also provides range clearance duties during rocket launches. With four U.S. operating bases, wing assets are deployed to support disaster-relief efforts worldwide. The colonel used his career as a helicopter pilot to illustrate how much communications have improved from the days of flying with one hand while holding a paper map on his knee to today's head-up displays that show location, destination, weather and even possible threats en route.