Final Group of 304th Reservists Return Home from 2008 Deployments

During the deployment, members of the 304th took part in 130 'saves' where without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight.

Aviation operations in Afghanistan Photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - United States Air Force Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron will soon return home from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The group of approximately twelve reservist will be landing at the Portland Air National Guard base in a C-17 aircraft along with their equipment Friday night.

The 304th Rescue Squadron is a Personnel Recovery Ground Force which provides rescue and recovery operations during both peacetime and wartime, as well as humanitarian missions around the world.

This returning group will conclude 365 days of overseas deployments for the 304th in 2008.

During the deployment members of the 304th took part in 130 saves, 221 assists, 151 escorts, and 519 sorties.

A 'save' refers to a situation where, without immediate intervention, a person would lose their life, a limb or eyesight (LLE).

Members have also recorded 221 assists--evacuations where LLE were not in immediate danger but personal safety and well being was threatened.