About this Unit
The 129th Air Rescue, originally established as the 129th Air Resupply Group in 1955, is a distinguished unit of the California Air National Guard. Over its history, the unit transitioned to an air rescue mission, becoming the 129th Air Rescue and Recovery Group in 1975. The 129th has conducted combat search and rescue, humanitarian relief, and disaster response missions both domestically and overseas, notably saving hundreds of lives during peacetime and in conflict zones. Equipped with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, the unit continues to provide vital lifesaving capabilities worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the Cold War: The 129th Air Rescue Wing was originally established in 1955 as the 129th Air Resupply Squadron, part of the California Air National Guard, focused on psychological warfare and unconventional operations during the early Cold War.
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Transition to Rescue Mission: In 1975, the unit was redesignated as the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, officially shifting its mission to combat search and rescue (CSAR), focusing on saving lives both in combat and peacetime emergencies.
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Pioneers in Aerial Rescue: The 129th was among the first Air National Guard units to operate the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters, which were famous for their Vietnam-era rescue operations.
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Home Base: The unit is based at Moffett Federal Airfield, near Mountain View, California, benefiting from proximity to both the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains for diverse rescue scenarios.
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Earthquake Response: The 129th played a critical role in the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, conducting search and rescue, medical evacuations, and supply drops in affected areas.
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Combat Deployments: Members of the 129th have deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global hotspots in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing downed aircrew rescue and medical evacuation missions.
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Record-Breaking Rescue: In 1980, the 129th rescued 28 crew members from the burning tanker Puerto Rican off the coast of California, one of the largest mass rescues in Air National Guard history.
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Aircraft Evolution: The unit has operated a variety of aircraft, including the C-119 Flying Boxcar, HC-130P/N Hercules, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, and currently the HH-60G and HC-130J Combat King II.
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Humanitarian Missions: The 129th regularly participates in civilian search and rescue, disaster response, and medical evacuations throughout California and neighboring states, saving hundreds of lives in peacetime operations.
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Motto and Legacy: The 129th’s motto is “That Others May Live,” reflecting the unit’s dedication to risking their own safety to save others, a tradition upheld since its inception.
