33rd Rescue Squadron earns MacKay Trophy - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

33rd Rescue Squadron earns MacKay Trophy

The 33rd Rescue Squadron has been named the 2009 MacKay Trophy winner for saving the crew of a downed Air Force aircraft and three soldiers in Afghanistan.

During a medical evacuation mission July 29 to rescue three wounded soldiers whose convoy was derailed by an improvised explosive device, the crews of two HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopters — Pedro 15 and Pedro 16 — came under heavy enemy fire.

Pedro 15 was downed, and along with an Army OH-58 Kiowa crew, the Pedro 16 crew — Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott — helped rescue the wounded soldiers and downed airmen.

The rescue squadron, based at Kadena Air Base, Japan, was also awarded the 2009 Verne Orr Award and was recognized by the Jolly Green Association for most outstanding rescue mission of the year.