The 130th Rescue Squadron is a member of the 129th Rescue Wing, a unit of the California Air National Guard (CA ANG). Its primary mission is Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), which involves NVG low-level operations, helicopter aerial refueling, and airdrop and infiltrations of Pararescue Jumpers and equipment. We are based at Moffett Federal Airfield in the heart of silicon valley. Our aviators fly the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.
As part of the CA ANG, we have both a state and federal mission. When deployed to a combat theater of operations, the 130th supports combatant commanders by conducting Personnel Recovery (PR) operations and other ancillary functions such as aeromedical evacuation and theater airlift.
During peacetime the 130th RQS provides the Governor of California with airlift capability for state emergencies and civil Search and Rescue (SAR) coverage for the state and beyond. For example, the 130th RQS airdropped Pararescue Jumpers (PJ) to the Rebel Heart sailboat 900 miles from Cabo San Lucas over the Pacific Ocean. With its aeriel refueling capability, the HC-130J is capable of extending the range of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter flown by the 129th RQS. This allows both insertion and extraction capability for critically injured seafarers at extreme distances. Other functions include humanitarian aid, aeromedical evacuaction, and training.