Guardian Angels from the 304th and 308th Rescue Squadrons jumped from C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 249th Airlift Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, over the Atlantic Ocean near Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 14 during a simulated astronaut rescue mission. The 249th AS worked with NASA, the 920th Rescue Wing, the 45th Space Wing and Detachment 3 of the 45th Operations Group to develop tactics, training and procedures to quickly and safely recover astronauts in the event they would need to abort their spacecraft.
<dl><dd>Unit: 176th Wing Public Affairs</dd>
<dd>DVIDS Tags: C-17; Globemaster; search and rescue; pararescue; NASA; astronaut; aircraft; exercise; Airborne; 304th Rescue Squadron; 920th Rescue Wing; JBER; rescue mission; Guardian Angel; 176th Wing; 212th Rescue Squadron; 308th Rescue Squadron; Tern; 176th Maintenance Group; 176th Operations Support Squadron; 249th Airlift Squadron; 45th Space Wing; DET-3 45th Operations Group</dd></dl>
Courtesy photo by Senior Airman Zac Heinen
Taken on 14 January 2016
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2372501/arctic-terns-fly-south-winter">https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2372501/arctic-terns-fly-south-winter</a>