Westhampton Beach - If you've ever lived or spent time on the East End of Long Island, then odds are that you've seen a large, green military airplane gracing our coastal skies at one time or another. While millions of tourists and residents are on the East End each year, many are seemingly unaware that the Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach is home to a highly specialized and unique branch of the National Guard: the 106th Rescue Wing - New York Air National Guard.

Of the roughly 88 wings in the Air National Guard, the 106th Rescue Wing is one of only three wings that specialize in personnel recovery, and combat search and rescue. It is also the oldest guard unit in the country, tracing its lineage back to the 1st Aero Company, formed in 1915. In the 56 years that they've has been serving out of Gabreski Airport, the 106th Rescue Wing, whose motto is "That others may live," have saved 611 people.

The 106th Rescue Wings mission is twofold: they serve a federal mission of augmenting active duty forces in a time of war, national emergencies, and increased national security, and a state mission, to serve the state in disaster relief as militia men. "Militia are special because they go back to the revolutionary war, and the birth of our country," said Major Paul A. Salas, Executive Officer at the 106th Rescue Wing.

Rescue operations at the 106th are performed using the HC-130 "Hercules" airplane, and the HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter. These two aircrafts work together in order to carry out rescue missions over long periods of time. The HC-130 is capable of refueling the Pavehawk helicopter in the air, and when refueled, the range of the Pavehawk is approximately 11 hours of flying time.

On its own the HC-130 is capable of 10 to 12 hours of fuel range, and supports the Pavehawk by providing aerial, electronic and visual search, as well as airdropping pararescue specialists and other relief supplies. Pararescue specialists are trained to perform rescues by parachuting, scuba diving, mountain climbing, and are highly specialized in survival in extreme climate conditions.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with members of the 106th. Like many of you, I often see the C-130 airplanes fly by my house on the East End, however it wasn't until I took a tour of the facility, that I realized how truly special this select wing's missions have been to the safety of our country. Major Salas summed it up best when he said, "If you hear the helicopter or C-130, you're hearing the sound of freedom."


Over the past 20 years, the 106th Rescue Wing has assisted the state in battling the 1995 "Sunrise Wildfires" in the Hamptons, they were first on the scene after the crash of TWA Flight 800, and the recovery of the wreckage from the plane flown by John F. Kennedy, Jr., which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 1999. The 106th Rescue Wing was also featured in the blockbuster movie "The Perfect Storm," as they provided search and rescue operations for the 1991 mega-storm known by the same name.

After the midair explosion of the Space Shuttle "Challenger" in 1986, the 106th Rescue Wing was designated to provide support for every shuttle launch thereafter. In 2001, Gabreski Airport was designated as an alternative-landing site in case of emergency. In the fall of 2005, they provided air rescue during Hurricane Katrina, and saved 212 lives.

For decades, Air National Guardsmen were nicknamed "Weekend Warriors," however for Major Salas, 9/11 changed the way the National Guard does business, and monikers like "Weekend Warriors" no longer apply. "As a result of 9/11, the world changed for everybody," he explained, "We're ready to go at a moment's notice now."

In the almost 10 years since 9/11, the 106th Rescue Wing has sent Airmen to Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Somalia, and more, in order to augment active duty forces.

Members of the 106th Rescue Wing have also provided support operations for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation New Dawn, Operation Provide Comfort, Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While touring helicopter hangars at the 106th Rescue Wing, I asked one of the pilots what message he would want those in the area to know about his unit. "I want people to know that we're here to save lives. We're not here to drop bombs," he said.

This summer, as you pass Gabreski Airport on the way to the beach, or see the C-130 plane or helicopter fly by your neighborhood, be sure to remember Major Salas' message, that the sound you hear in the sky is the sound of freedom, and be thankful for those members of the 106th Rescue Wing who risk their lives every day, so that others may live.