Members of two Nellis helicopter squadrons expecting deployment

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 | 11:05 a.m.

The 66th and 58th Rescue Squadrons at Nellis Air Force Base are taking the next step today toward being deployed, possibly to the Middle East.

Eighty-four members of the helicopter rescue squadrons were expected to be outfitted with all the gear and equipment that they will need during their next mission, but Air Force officials are not revealing details of the deployment.

"We don't know when they will be deployed or where they will be deployed," Nellis spokesman Sgt. Rich Covington said.

A wave of military deployments have hit bases across the country over the last month as the Pentagon moves ahead with a massive military buildup in the Persian Gulf.

Rescue squadron members will be processed through a "mobility line" today, but information about what equipment they will be issued was not available this morning.

The 66th is one of six Air Force active-duty HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter rescue squadrons. It is a unit designed to quickly support and rescue combat air forces anywhere in the world, Nellis officials said.

The 58th is an offshoot of the the 66th and is made up of the pararescue troopers who man the HH-60s.

Members of the 57th Maintenance Group, which provides repairs for the helicopters, are also expected to be issued equipment today, Covington said.

Elements of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron are also readying for deployment, Nellis officials said.

The 15th operates from the Air Force auxiliary field at Indian Springs, about 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The squadron is the second of the Air Force's two RQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft.