NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
December 31, 2002

Rescue Reunion Set

Past and current members of the rescue community are invited to a reunion in April. The reunion is being held in Portland, Ore., in conjunction with the conversion, currently underway, shifting Air Force Reserve’s 939th Rescue Wing mission from rescue to air refueling. Once the conversion is complete, the 939th RQW will be redesignated the 939th Air Refueling Wing

The event is slated for 25, 26 and 27 April 2003.

“We’re planning a number of activities for the three days,” said Dottie Johnson, reunion organizer, “including a social, a banquet, a picnic, base tours and golf. We hope to add to the list as time goes by. We are looking for former and current members both military and civilian – anyone who has been a part of the rescue family here at the air base to come, renew old friendships and have a good time.”

“The predecessors of today’s 939th Rescue Wing have been members of the Portland community since the 1950’s,” said Johnson. “That’s a long time. We want to make sure the wing gets a good send off.”

The event organizers are currently attempting to ensure that everyone gets the word. “With Air Force Reserve rescue units in Arizona and Florida as well as Oregon, and a more than 60-year time span to consider, it’s difficult to get the word out to everyone,” said Johnson. “We’ve put out a call for anyone who may be in contact with former members of the rescue family, to submit names, home addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. We want to make sure everyone knows about the event and gets an invitation.”

Information may be sent to organizers via e-mail at airforcerescuereunion@yahoo.com,
or via regular mail to: Rescue Reunion, C/O 4636 N.E. Emerson Street, Portland, OR., 97218-1974.

To ensure maximum access to information and plans, organizers have established a web site at www.afrescuereunion.org, and will be updating it as developments emerge.

“We’re looking forward to seeing our old friends and co-workers in April,” said Johnson.