CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Jul 30, 2011

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY (07/29/2011)-- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will visit the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing and Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base on Saturday, July 30. Members of the media are invited to meet with the Senator and Wing Commander Col. Thomas Owens following her hour-long visit. WHO: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Col. Thomas Owens, commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, and other leaders and Airmen of the 106th Rescue Wing. WHAT: An opportunity for local media members to talk with Sen. Gillibrand about her visit to the 106th Rescue Wing to learn more about the wing’s unique mission. WHEN: Media members should be at the front gate No Later Than 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. WHERE: Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Old Riverhead Road, Westhampton Beach Coverage Opportunities: Stand-up Interview with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Col. Thomas Owens, about her visit to the 106th Rescue Wing and the wing’s mission. There will be video and still imagery opportunities of Ms. Gillibrand inspecting aircraft in the hanger and speaking with wing members. Media Members wishing to cover this event should contact the 106th Rescue Wing Operations Desk no later than 3:30 on July 30 at 631-723-7478 and provide the name (s) of reporters/videographers/photographers who plan to attend in order to gain access to this secure military facility. Background: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, has been visiting New York Army and Air Guard locations across the state in order to learn more about the missions and operations of New York’s Citizen Soldiers and Airmen. She has been to the 107th Airlift Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base and the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters in Troy, NY. The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Gabreski Air National Guard Base is equipped with HC-130 search and rescue aircraft and HH-60 Pavehawk search and rescue helicopters with a primary mission of rescuing airmen downed behind enemy lines. Since 2001 unit members and aircraft have rotated into and out of Afghanistan and Iraq executing these missions. The wing also has the mission of backing up the United States Coast Guard and providing search and rescue assistance in the North Atlantic when called upon. The wing also provided search and rescue support for 109 launches of the Space Shuttle and deployed to New Orleans in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.