A group of Air Force Reserve Command Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing has departed on the last leg of a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan Dec. 27 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Approximately 40 helicopter aircrew members, maintenance specialists and logistics and support personnel gathered with their friends and families at the wing's helicopter squadron facility for tearful farewells.

The reservists will be replacing a similar-sized group of rescue-wing Airmen already in Afghanistan supporting the U.S. Army medical evacuation operation.

Rescue Airmen from the 920th, and from the wing's sister units in Arizona and Oregon,  began the medevac deployment in February. Since then, they have saved more than 300 lives.

A "save" refers to a situation where, without immediate medical evacuation, a person would lose his or her life, limb or eyesight. In addition, wing Airmen also have recorded nearly 350 assists -- evacuations where life, limb or eyesight was not in immediate danger.

The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing servicemembers isolated in combat, such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines. The medevac deployment marks the first time the 920th has undertaken the role for the U.S. Army.

The reservists are due to return early this summer.

FMI: www.af.mil