Air Force reservists saved more than 1,100

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- As the security situation on the ground in Afghanistan has intensified, a unit of U.S. Air Force reservists has performed more than 1,100 rescue missions.

Reservists from the Air Force 920th Rescue Wing based in Florida deployed to Afghanistan in February. The unit, in collaboration with reservist units from Arizona and Oregon, has saved 313 soldiers in Afghan combat zones, the Air Force reported.

With a strengthened Taliban insurgency in the volatile south of Afghanistan, the rescue reservists have been called to support the U.S. Army medical evacuation operation on 1,181 missions. Officials say the reservists have rescued soldiers who without "immediate medical evacuation would die, lose a limb or go blind," the release said.

According to an Air Force intelligence report, the reservists have also assisted on 342 soldier evacuations missions.