BY: unattributed, wftv.com
08/31/2005

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 920th Rescue Squadron out of Patrick Air Force Base left Central Florida on Tuesday to help in recovery efforts.

The 920th Rescue Squadron was called up Tuesday after FEMA decided it needed more help rescuing survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Three helicopters took off from Patrick Air Force Base late Tuesday afternoon. They are flying to Jackson, Miss. where they will be stationed for as long as they are needed.

They expect to start rescuing stranded hurricane survivors in the New Orleans, La. area and the Biloxi, Miss. area as soon as Tuesday night. In fact, they are equipped to perform round-the-clock rescue missions.

They said they train for rescues during combat, but the reservists are ready to give up their day jobs to help out whenever they are called on.

After Hurricane Floyd, this same unit rescued more than 50 people stranded in the Carolinas.

Altogether, there are about 50 airmen headed to the Gulf Coast. They don't know when they will return.