129th Rescue Wing

The 129th Rescue Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard based at Moffett Federal Airfield in Sunnyvale, California. Although it is not a commercial brand, the wing functions as a recognizable public-service and military organization whose identity is associated with long-range rescue, pararescue, emergency response, and the motto “That Others May Live.” Its federal mission is to train, equip, and conduct worldwide combat search-and-rescue operations over land and water, in both hostile and permissive environments. Its state mission is performed under the authority of the Governor of California and includes support during natural disasters, specialized civilian search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and counter-drug operations. The organization was created on 3 April 1955 as the 129th Air Resupply Group at Hayward Airport. Its early role involved transporting personnel and equipment in support of unconventional warfare, psychological operations, reconnaissance, and related special-operations activities. During the 1960s, the group moved through several mission and designation changes, becoming a troop-carrier, air-commando, and special-operations organization. Aircraft used during this period included the C-46 Commando, Helio U-10 Courier, de Havilland U-6 Beaver, and C-119 Flying Boxcar. In 1975, the unit adopted an aerospace rescue and recovery mission and began a programmed move to Moffett Field. The relocation was completed by 1984. The organization subsequently transitioned from the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant to the HH-60G Pave Hawk, with the conversion completed in 1991. It became the 129th Rescue Group in 1992 and the 129th Rescue Wing in 1995. Following the 1994 closure of Naval Air Station Moffett Field under the Base Realignment and Closure process, the wing remained at the site as a tenant after the airfield was transferred to NASA and became Moffett Federal Airfield. The wing operates through an operations group, rescue and pararescue squadrons, maintenance and mission-support organizations, security forces, logistics, communications, civil engineering, medical, and force-support elements. Its rescue capability has historically combined long-range fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and Guardian Angel personnel and equipment. The HC-130J Combat King II provides long-range transport, command-and-control, and helicopter aerial refueling support, while rescue helicopters and pararescue teams recover and medically assist people in remote, maritime, and combat environments. The first HC-130J aircraft was delivered to the unit in 2018, and the first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrived in January 2025. Beyond combat missions, the 129th has responded to maritime emergencies, missing or injured hikers, medical evacuations, floods, earthquakes, fires, chemical spills, and other civil emergencies. The unit has also supported the U.S. Coast Guard, civil agencies, foreign humanitarian operations, and state authorities. It has participated in or supported U.S. operations including Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Octave Quartz. As a National Guard organization, it combines a federal wartime role with a continuing state emergency-response function.

The 129th Rescue Wing began on 3 April 1955 as the 129th Air Resupply Group, a newly established California Air National Guard organization at Hayward Airport. It initially supported air resupply and unconventional-warfare activities, including the movement of personnel and material for psychological-warfare, reconnaissance, guerrilla-warfare, and direct-action missions. During its first years, it operated under a succession of Air Force commands, including the Military Air Transport Service, Fourth Air Force, Continental Air Command, and Eighteenth Air Force. It was inactivated in November 1958. The organization returned to active status in January 1962 as the 129th Troop Carrier Group. In July 1963, it became the 129th Air Commando Group and entered the Air Force’s air-commando structure. Its aircraft and mission evolved during the decade: C-46 aircraft were replaced by Helio U-10 Couriers, some U-10s were transferred for use in Southeast Asia, and the unit later operated de Havilland U-6 Beavers and C-119 Flying Boxcars. In 1968, it was redesignated the 129th Special Operations Group. A major transformation took place in 1975, when the unit received an aerospace rescue and recovery mission and became the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. It began moving from Hayward to Naval Air Station Moffett Field, completing the programmed relocation by 1984. In 1989, the organization became the 129th Air Rescue Group and began converting from HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters to HH-60G Pave Hawks. That conversion was completed in 1991. The name was shortened to 129th Rescue Group in March 1992 and changed to 129th Rescue Wing in October 1995. Moffett Field was closed as a Naval installation through the Base Realignment and Closure process in 1994 and transferred to NASA as Moffett Federal Airfield. The 129th remained at the location as a tenant command. Its federal gaining command has generally been Air Combat Command; it was temporarily aligned with Air Force Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2005 before returning to Air Combat Command. The wing’s rescue record includes maritime recoveries, rescues in the Sierra Nevada, medical evacuations, and support to civil authorities. It has worked with the Coast Guard and other agencies during emergencies involving ships, hikers, floods, earthquakes, fires, and chemical incidents. The wing reports that its rescue forces saved hundreds of people after receiving the rescue mission. A sailor recovered from the merchant vessel White Mana on 3 September 1991 was identified as the organization’s 200th save. The unit also developed a broad state and humanitarian role. It supported flood emergencies on the Yuba and Eel rivers, helped during major Northern California flooding in 1986, coordinated military aviation after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and transported officials surveying damage from the earthquake and the 1991 Oakland Hills fire. It provided mutual aid during the 1965 Watts riots and the 1992 Los Angeles civil disturbance. From 1989 to 1991, personnel deployed to South America for humanitarian construction projects involving hospitals and schools. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, members served at overseas and domestic locations, including England, Saudi Arabia, and Travis Air Force Base. The wing’s modern capability is built around HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, HH-60-series rescue helicopters, and Guardian Angel pararescue forces. Delivery of the first HC-130J in 2018 represented a significant modernization of the fixed-wing fleet. The first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrived on 31 January 2025. The 129th continues to prepare for worldwide combat search and rescue while retaining responsibility for California emergency support, aerial firefighting, and other missions directed by state or federal authorities.

• 2025

  First HH-60W Jolly Green II delivered

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrived on 31 January 2025.

• 2018

  HC-130J modernization begins

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The wing received the first of four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft on 6 April 2018.

• 2008

  Water-bucket firefighting capability certified

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The 129th Rescue Squadron qualified to conduct aerial water-bucket firefighting operations.

• 1995

  Redesignated as the 129th Rescue Wing

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The 129th Rescue Group was redesignated as a wing on 1 October 1995.

• 1991

  HH-60G conversion completed

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The wing completed its transition from HH-3E helicopters to HH-60G Pave Hawks.

• 1975

  Rescue and recovery mission adopted

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The organization became the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group and began its move to Moffett Field.

• 1963

  Mission shifts to air-commando operations

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The unit joined the Air Force air-commando structure and began operating specialized light aircraft for unconventional-warfare support.

• 1955

  Organization established as the 129th Air Resupply Group

  [1]129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org

  California Air National Guard activated the new organization at Hayward Airport on 3 April 1955.

A specialized National Guard rescue organization positioned around life-saving service, global combat search and rescue, and rapid support to California civil authorities. Its public identity is centered on operational readiness, long-range rescue expertise, interagency cooperation, and the motto “That Others May Live.”

• Military rescue service · 1975

  Combat search and rescue

  The wing’s core federal mission is to locate, recover, and provide immediate assistance to isolated, injured, or endangered personnel in hostile or permissive environments. The capability combines long-range fixed-wing aircraft, rescue helicopters, pararescue specialists, medical personnel, and command-and-control resources for operations over land and water.

• Emergency response · 1975

  Civilian search and rescue

  Under state or interagency direction, the wing supports rescues involving distressed mariners, missing or injured hikers, and people requiring medical evacuation. Its aircraft and rescue teams are designed for difficult terrain, long-distance operations, and maritime recovery.

• Disaster response · 2008

  Aerial firefighting

  The 129th Rescue Squadron added certified water-bucket operations in 2008. This capability enables the unit to support California firefighting and disaster-response authorities while complementing its rescue role.

• Rescue aircraft · 2018

  HC-130J Combat King II operations

  The HC-130J Combat King II provides long-range transport, aerial command and control, and refueling support for rescue helicopters. It is central to the wing’s ability to conduct extended missions over remote land and ocean areas.

• Rescue helicopter · 2025

  HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue operations

  The HH-60W Jolly Green II is the next-generation rescue helicopter entering the wing’s fleet. It is intended to provide improved range, survivability, communications, and recovery capability for combat and emergency missions.

• 2019Operation Octave Quartz support

  Africa · United States

  The wing has also supported Operation Octave Quartz as part of its overseas federal mission.

  Source
• 2014Operation Inherent Resolve support

  Middle East · United States

  The wing has been routinely assigned support responsibilities for Operation Inherent Resolve.

  Source
• 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom support

  Iraq · United States

  The wing routinely supported Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of its federal rescue and deployment responsibilities.

  Source
• 2001Operation Enduring Freedom support

  Afghanistan · Southwest Asia · United States

  The 129th supported Operation Enduring Freedom through personnel and rescue-force deployments.

  Source
• 1990Desert Shield and Desert Storm support

  Southwest Asia · United States · United Kingdom

  Personnel from the 129th supported the Gulf War effort at overseas and stateside locations. Pararescuemen volunteered for combat operations, while medical personnel served in England, Saudi Arabia, and at Travis Air Force Base.

  Outcome. The wing contributed personnel and medical capability to the broader U.S. war effort.

  Source
• 1990Counter-drug and customs support

  United States

  The unit began supporting U.S. Customs inspections involving illegal drugs and prohibited animal and plant products.

  Outcome. The activity expanded the wing’s state and federal support role beyond rescue operations.

  Source
• 1989South American humanitarian deployments

  South America

  From 1989 through 1991, personnel assisted with construction projects for hospitals and schools in South America.

  Outcome. The deployments provided engineering and humanitarian support to local communities.

  Source

• 2025

  Introduction of the HH-60W Jolly Green IIGeneration change

  Background

  The wing began replacing its legacy rescue-helicopter capability with the next-generation HH-60W.

  Action taken

  The first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrived at the wing on 31 January 2025.

  Aftermath

  The delivery initiated the modernization of the wing’s rotary-wing rescue fleet.

  Source

• 2018

  HC-130J Combat King II fleet modernizationGeneration change

  Background

  The wing’s long-range rescue mission required updated fixed-wing aircraft for transport, command and control, and helicopter refueling.

  Action taken

  The first of four HC-130J Combat King II aircraft was delivered on 6 April 2018.

  Aftermath

  The new aircraft strengthened the wing’s ability to conduct extended rescue operations over land and water.

  Source

• 1991

  Conversion to HH-60G Pave Hawk helicoptersGeneration change

  Background

  The wing required a modern rescue helicopter to replace the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant.

  Action taken

  The organization completed its transition to the HH-60G Pave Hawk.

  Aftermath

  The Pave Hawk became a central element of the wing’s long-range rescue capability for subsequent decades.

  Source

• 1975

  Adoption of the aerospace rescue and recovery missionStrategy

  Background

  The organization moved away from its earlier air-resupply and special-operations identity toward a dedicated rescue role.

  Action taken

  It was redesignated the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group and began relocating to Moffett Field.

  Aftermath

  The rescue mission became the foundation for the later 129th Rescue Group and 129th Rescue Wing.

  Source

1. 1129th Rescue Wingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2129th Rescue Wing official website129rqw.ang.af.mil