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Airmen assist with recovery operations

  • Published
  • By Capt. David Faggard
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron actively participated with civilian contractor, Air Freight, and located their MI-8 helicopter that went missing, Nov. 23, 2009 in Eastern Afghanistan.

"There were no survivors from the crew of three," according to a company press release. "Investigations into the cause of the crash are also underway however early reports indicate the crew encountered poor weather conditions on-route. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the crew."

The 33rd ERQS operates a highly modified version of the Blackhawk helicopter, the HH-60G Pave Hawk, and is deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan.

The 33rd ERQS deployed with highly skilled aircrews and pararescuemen, the only Department of Defense specialty specifically trained and equipped to conduct conventional or unconventional rescue operations. These Battlefield Airmen are the ideal force for personnel recovery and combat search and rescue.