563rd RQG's GROC assists in real world rescue

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Thrush, 563rd Rescue Group intelligence analyst, talks to aircrews via a satellite phone, to conduct flight following during a rescue mission on May 5, 2014. Sergeant Thrush and mission planners in the Group Rescue Operations Center (GROC) use satellite phones, e-mail, and other forms of communication to relay information while acting as a focal point for rescue operations and coordination. The GROC is also responsible for briefing command staff with actionable information when conducting real-world or exercise Combat Search and Rescue Task Force missions. Recently, the GROC at the 563rd RQG assisted with mission planning coordination of a real world rescue mission that occurred 1,100 nautical miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico. Working with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, the GROC coordinated U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Rescue assets with the Mexican attach? to allow U.S. Forces to enter Mexican air space and use Cabo San Lucas, Mexico as a staging area for the rescue mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey)