DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The 563d Rescue Group began using the assault landing zone on the runway at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Nov. 18, 2019.
The new zone was painted for 563d HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to practice landings, as well as touch-and-go’s on short runway operations.
“We have to be able to execute assault landings into austere locations for any type of short runway operations to be able to effectively do our jobs as combat search and rescue and we have to practice that while we are here,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Alexander Carey, 79th Rescue Squadron HC-130J aircraft commander. “Having the assault landing zone gives us something visual that we can hold ourselves to so we are able to maintain our standards.”
Resources are saved by keeping aircraft at Davis-Monthan which increases the rescue group’s readiness.
“Prior to having this, it took several people using their whole day to drive and set up a landing zone which took away from the effectiveness of our training,” said Capt. Andrew Mackenzie, 71st RQS HC-130J pilot and project lead, previously assigned to the 79th RQS. “Having this on home station helps us practice our grading criteria, as well as increasing our reps which in turn, increases our proficiency.”
The rescue group will use this landing zone to become a more effective and lethal CSAR unit.
“We are a dedicated CSAR platform and this allows us to provide better coverage for all combat Air Force assets,” said Mackenzie. “This helps us be better prepared downrange to help with what they’re doing to make impacts on the enemy.”
CSAR platforms are critical for mission success and the 563d RQG is committed to effectively completing the mission through a constant effort to increase lethality and readiness.