129th Rescue Wing

08/19/2026

This Aviation Day, we honor the evolution of rescue aviation and the Airmen who keep the mission moving forward.

The HH-60G Pave Hawk carried generations of 129th rescue crews into some of the most demanding environments. Today the HH-60W Jolly Green II builds on that legacy with enhanced capabilities designed to meet the demands of modern combat search and rescue.

Working alongside the HC-130J Combat King II, the Jolly Green II forms a critical team for personnel recovery and search and rescue missions. The HC-130J provides extended-range command, control, refueling and mission support, while the HH-60W brings the rescue capability needed to reach and recover those in need.

As technical capability advances from Pave Hawk to Jolly Green, the 129th Rescue Wing’s mission stands firm and unbounded with fuel of purpose–Leave No One Behind.

California National Guard
Air National Guard
United States Air Force
The National Guard

08/07/2026

Today, on Purple Heart Day, we honor the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the service members who were wounded or killed in action while serving our nation.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Herland Antezana, Staff Sgt. Michael Byrne, and Staff Sgt. Dustin Dinkelacker, all assigned to the 129th Maintenance Squadron, were awarded the Purple Heart on October 5, 2024, after returning from the January 2024, Tower 22 attack in Jordan.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Benjamin Copley, commander of the 129th Operations Support Squadron, received the Purple Heart award in 2010.

Additionally, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gustavo Villanueva, assigned to the 130th Rescue Squadron, received the Purple Heart (not pictured.)

Today, we pause to express our deepest gratitude, remember the heroes who did not return home, and reaffirm our commitment to never forget their service and sacrifice.

08/03/2026

Congratulations to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Roni Ilada, senior enlisted leader of the 129th Medical Group, on your well-earned promotion on July 18, 2026. This achievement is a testament to your unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and steadfast commitment to service over the last 26 years.

07/28/2026

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Mouille and Staff Sgt. Robert Scruggs, assigned to the 129th Civil Engineer Flight, attended emergency management battlefield expeditionary response training at McCrady Training Center, South Carolina, on May 14, 2026.

“They were great mentors to other Airmen and instrumental to our success, exhibiting excellent character and teamwork,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Powell, 169th Fighter Wing, installation emergency manager.

Both Airmen participated in the exercise to combine tactical field training with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response objectives to strengthen mission readiness with other Air National Guard units.

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07/21/2026

Congratulations to U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rolando Zuniga, senior enlisted leader of the 129th Civil Engineering Flight, who was promoted to Chief Master Sgt. on May 1, 2026, at the 129th Rescue Wing. U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Sally Ford and U.S. Air Force Maj. Steven Joseph appointed Zuniga during the ceremony.

“Chief Zuniga has been instrumental to much of our new success here in CE and has left a lasting positive impact across multiple squadrons throughout his career,” said 2nd Lt. Juan Sanchez Ramos, operations officer at the 129th Rescue Wing.

Thank you for all you do, Chief!

07/17/2026

Critical care in the air ✈️. A flight crew with the 129th Rescue Wing recently partnered with medical personnel from the 146th Airlift Wing as part of an aeromedical evacuation exercise at Sacramento Mather Airport on June 5, 2026.

During the exercise, Airmen practiced loading nearly 40 simulated casualties onto an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. The drill was designed to simulate a mass casualty event involving a civilian population.

07/10/2026

The 129th Rescue Wing completed it's 1,190th save Tuesday, July 7, 2026, after a Mexican citizen was seriously injured 700 nautical miles out at sea. Pararescuemen from the wing's 131st Rescue Squadron treated the patient on the remote Socorro Island, after jumping from an HC-130J Combat King II into the Pacific Ocean.

07/09/2026

The 129th Rescue Wing has just completed it's 1,190 save! Stay tuned for the story.

06/02/2026

It takes a great deal of teamwork and training to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs coming in and out of California. Read below for a behind the scenes glimpse how members of the 129th RQW and the CalGuard Counterdrug Task Force stay prepared to safeguard our communities.

Cal Guard Counterdrug Task Force Takes Tactical Training to New Heights

05/03/2026

Congratulations to U.S. Air Force Col. Nicholas Johnson who was promoted to Colonel over the weekend and assumed command of the 129th Maintenance Group.

Johnson’s promotion marks the latest milestone in an already distinguished career that includes serving as an active duty logistics resource officer, a combat deployment in Afghanistan, and a tour at the Pentagon.

“This promotion doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you’ve always been,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Marc Lewis who presided over the ceremony.