Riverside, Ca – Urban Search and Rescue Team (US&R) Task Force 6 will be wheels up at 8:00pm tonight on their way to assist with the rescue effort in Puerto Rico. The team will be flying out of March Air Reserve Base on a C5 cargo plane along with several other teams. The 27-member team consists of Logistics, Rescue Specialist, K9’s, Medical Specialist, Haz Mat Specialist, and Communications Specialist. Their Task Force Leader, Division Chief Steve McKinster, will lead them during the search and rescue effort.

Puerto Rico was one of the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Maria in which it took a direct hit. With no electricity and severe flooding, this mission will be extremely challenging. The team members are the best of the best and have trained many years for such a deployment.

The plane, that will be transporting the team and equipment, is coming from Travis Air Force Base and will be loaded by Reserve Citizen Airmen from March Air Reserve Base. The 452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office invites all press for up close photos, videos and interviews with team members as time permits.

For information on Base access and press staging area, please contact Linda Welz at 951-655-2962 or 951-315-6782