Patrick Space Force Base

Maj. David Reifenberg, combat rescue officer drop zone controller, 308th Rescue Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, free falls from a Joint Base Charleston C-17 Globemaster III, while Senoir Master Sgt. George Reed, paraescueman, 308 RQS prepares to jump, during a Human Space Flight Support airdop search and rescue exercise Jan 15, 2025, Patrick SFB, Fla. A joint task force of the 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickum, Hawaii, and 315th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, South Carolina, trained on HSFS to retrieve astronauts from open-ocean waters upon returning to Earth. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)
Maj. David Reifenberg, combat rescue officer drop zone controller, 308th Rescue Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, free falls from a Joint Base Charleston C-17 Globemaster III, while Senoir Master Sgt. George Reed, paraescueman, 308 RQS prepares to jump, during a Human Space Flight Support airdop search and rescue exercise Jan 15, 2025, Patrick SFB, Fla. A joint task force of the 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickum, Hawaii, and 315th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, South Carolina, trained on HSFS to retrieve astronauts from open-ocean waters upon returning to Earth. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)
Maj. David Reifenberg, combat rescue officer drop zone controller, 308th Rescue Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, free falls from a Joint Base Charleston C-17 Globemaster III, while Senoir Master Sgt. George Reed, paraescueman, 308 RQS prepares to jump, during a Human Space Flight Support airdop search and rescue exercise Jan 15, 2025, Patrick SFB, Fla. A joint task force of the 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickum, Hawaii, and 315th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, South Carolina, trained on HSFS to retrieve astronauts from open-ocean waters upon returning to Earth. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

A combined team of Guardsmen and Reservists tackled air, sea, and space operations during Human Space Flight Support (HSFS) training, focused on astronaut recovery through search and rescue operations, held from Jan. 14-17 at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida. The end goal was to prepare a greater roster of SARS personnel for an increasing number of crewed missions.

Note: this article uses quotes and information from a public affairs article originally written by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech of the 315th Airlift Wing.

The training brought together Air National Guardsmen from the 204th Airlift Squadron based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, with Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and the 308th Rescue Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base. This joint effort aimed to refine the airdrop techniques required to recover astronauts safely from open-ocean splashdowns following space missions.

Staff Sgt. Nainoa Lehua, Human Space Flight Support airdrop loadmaster, 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and Chief Master Sgt. Drew Cheek, HSFS airdrop evaluating loadmaster, 701st Airlift Squadron, prepare to airdrop Mark-25 flares during HSFS airdrop search and rescue training Jan 16, 2025, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)
Staff Sgt. Nainoa Lehua, Human Space Flight Support airdrop loadmaster, 204th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and Chief Master Sgt. Drew Cheek, HSFS airdrop evaluating loadmaster, 701st Airlift Squadron, prepare to airdrop Mark-25 flares during HSFS airdrop search and rescue training Jan 16, 2025, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

Expanding Need

“The space industry has seen tremendous growth since 2020, when Joint Base Hickam first took on this mission,” explained Maj. Ryan Schieber, Human Space Flight Support lead planner for the 315th Operations Support Squadron. “With the rise in SpaceX launches, Boeing Starliner missions, and the upcoming Artemis program in 2026, this training is more critical than ever.”

As the space sector grows, astronaut recovery missions have increased to at least three or four annually, with the promise of an even higher cadence of crewed missions. This uptick prompted the 204th Airlift Squadron to form a joint task force with the 308th Rescue Squadron under the 920th Rescue Wing. The 920th RW, the only Air Force Reserve Command wing dedicated to combat search and rescue, collaborates with the 315th AW to certify aircrews for HSFS airdrops.

Expanding The Roster Of Qualified Rescue Airmen

“Our goal is to certify the Charleston Reserve pilots, loadmasters, and aircrew for this mission,” said Master Sgt. Makaio Roberts, deputy program manager for the 204th AS HSFS team. “They’re vital partners alongside the 308th Rescue Squadron as we support NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, and the Artemis missions with launches and recoveries.”

In 2025, the 315th AW officially partnered with the 204th AS to gain HSFS airdrop certification. These training exercises enhance efficiency and preparedness for the multi-capable Airmen who participate.

About The Training

“This training involves realistic offshore airdrops of personnel and equipment, simulating the recovery of isolated individuals in maritime environments,” said Capt. Nicolas Walsh, a combat rescue officer and drop zone controller with the 308th RQS.

During 7.5 hours of flight time, the joint task force completed 10 airdrops, including 30 pararescuemen jumps in challenging winter seas. Despite the limited timeframe, the experienced aircrews and maintenance teams made the most of the opportunity, ensuring high levels of readiness.

“The equipment we drop and the rescue qualifications we practice are essential to ensuring astronauts can be safely recovered during splashdowns,” Roberts emphasized. “This training directly supports real-world launches and recoveries for the HSFS program.”

Participating in HSFS training provides C-17 aircrews with a unique mission experience, broadening their operational skill set. Working alongside the 204th AS and 308th RQS helps develop Airmen into versatile, mission-ready professionals.

“This mission is distinct for the C-17,” Schieber said. “It exposes the aircrews to a specialized rescue airdrop role, enhancing their readiness for future challenges.”

As the pace of space exploration accelerates, the demand for search and rescue operations is expected to grow, a challenge the joint task force is ready to meet. “Space travel is increasing, and we’re prepared to respond,” Schieber added.

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Trusted Travel Program Suspended
via US Space Force

The US Space Force announced today that it has suspended their “Trusted Traveler” program at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base, both in Brevard County.

The Trusted Traveler program allows valid DoD ID card holders to enter a military base without the requirement for occupants of the same vehicle to present identification. There are other uses, like food delivery services, that have also benefitted from the now suspended program.

The Trusted Traveler program does not apply to restricted areas, airfields, heliports, or obviously, launch pads.

At this time, it is unknown how this will affect public access to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum’s exhibits at Launch Complex 26 and Hangar C, both of which are inside the security perimeter for CCSFS.

Space Launch Delta 45 Statement

“The Trusted Traveler program has been suspended at Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station until further notice. Any individuals WITHOUT a DoD-approved access credential (e.g. CAC, dependent ID, retiree ID) will be required to obtain a visitor pass, even when traveling with a DoD ID card holder. The Visitors Control Center is not manned on the weekends, so passes will only be processed at the East Gate.

-Members in housing who currently have family members visiting will be required to get visitor passes and all new visitors will require passes.

-Golfers with an annual base pass can no longer bring or sponsor additional visitors.

-Food delivery drivers who do not have base access will no longer be authorized on base. All food deliveries will be picked up at the East Gate.

-Event Bright tickets for launches will be terminated.

Although there are currently no known threats to the installations, we are taking this step to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, residents, and visitors. We encourage everyone accessing the base to be prepared for additional screening protocols. For more information and to learn how to obtain a visitor pass, please visit:

https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Resources/Visitors-Control-Center/

Following the link to the Visitor Control Center page, some insight as to the reasoning of the DoD decision (this also affects other bases and other service branches) may be found:

As of Jan. 3, 2025, Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will implement new base access security enhancements, and the Trusted Traveler Program will be suspended until further notice.  All visitors will be required to obtain a base pass, even when traveling with a military ID card holder. This decision was made to ensure the safety and security of the personnel, residents, and visitors.

Given the terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas in recent days, the decision seems to be a prudent one for the time being. For official information, follow the link above or consult your command structure if you are a service member.

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