What would happen if...

Do you ever think to yourself, what would happen if.... you got lost while you were out hiking in the mountains?   if.... you became injured while exploring the Grand Canyon?   if...  you took your personal sailboat into the ocean, the weather became bad and you could not make it back to shore or if you were apart of a fishing boat that experienced adverse weather what would become of you?  Here's one...  a hurricane came to shore and took out your home, neighborhood, all that you knew leaving you and your neighbors stranded,  or even worse....  a terrorist attack... who would help find your loved ones that have become missing?

All of these events have, do and will occur again.  Our first answers to these type of questions is always, our first responders; local firemen and policemen.  We also think of the Coast Guard or Air National Guard.

Among the brave men and women of the Coast Guard, Air National Guard (ANG), and Air Force (yes Air Force) is an elite group of men that, in a sense, is the first responder.  These men are the Air Force Pararescuemen, also know as PJs.  They are a special operations force that specializes in Search, Rescue and Recovery, in all adverse conditions.

 The ANG has PJ reserve units across the nation for when a tragedy occurs and their skills are needed.  Working directly with the Coast Guard, they are called upon to help in the search and recovery of boats at sea, and in the Great Lakes, or wherever the Coast Guard is in need of help (the movie "The Perfect Storm" shows the PJs at work).

Over the past year, PJs have been called upon multiple times to assist in the search and rescue of lost and injured hikers in places like Washington, Alaska, and Arizona to name a few.  They have the training to climb in harsh conditions, locate, treat the patient, and recover the individual(s) to safety.

During storms like Katrina and Sandy; PJs recovered a countless amount of people from their rooftops, front porches, and small boats while the water levels were uncontrollable.  They either came in by a HELO and hoisted individuals to safety, or used military boats to recover them and bringing them to safety.

9-11....  Yes, Pararescuemen were apart of the team that helped in the rescue efforts at both the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

These men undergo over 2 years of training...  and continue to maintain their training throughout their careers.  They are among an elite group of Special Operations men and work directly with the Naval SEALS.  They put their own lives on the line with every rescue they undertake - they do this with courage and honor.  They do this... that others may live.

How Many PJs Do You See?

Air Force Parasrecuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron take cover during an attack simulation of incoming fire from an enemy during an exercise in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti earlier this year.  the 82nd ERQS perform regular exercises, supporting the Combined Task Force - Horn of Africa


 

Labor Day

This great country was founded and formed by men who wanted something greater in life for not only themselves but also for their children.  Over the years, wars have been fought in order to maintain our right to pursuit happiness.  And this stands true today.

Labor Day was founded to honor the social and economic dedication and achievements  that American Workers perform throughout the year.  It's a yearly national tribute to the hard working citizens of this great country who continue to give our country strength, prosperity and ensures its well-being. 

The first state bill was introduced to the New York Legislature, however it was actually the state of Oregon that passed the law of a Labor Day recognition on February 21, 1887.  Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts also passed the law that same year.  By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Nebraska followed suit and by 1894 23 additional states had adopted the holiday to honor the American workers.  Finally, on June 28, 1894 the District of Columbia had passed the law stating that the first Monday of September will be declared a legal holiday known as Labor Day for the District and all of its territories.

 Labor Day has become a day of BBQs, the last of the summer, and a time to enjoy your close friends and family.  Beer, liquor, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken on the grill... let us not forget the potato or macaroni salad, and all the dips and chips.  Soda galore and juice boxes for the little ones.  But, miles away, this day of recognition won't have the same impact.  Men and Women will still put on their flax vests, their helmets, check their weapons...  they will wake up and put on their ABUs, BDUs...  blouse their pants, tie their boots, and the sounds of their dog tags jingling while they place them under their T-shirts can be heard if you listen.  F-16's, A-10s, Pave Hawks, take the sky - the sounds of American Freedom.  Let us not forget about them...  Let us not forget why we can continue to have holidays such as these...  Let us not forget...

God Bless America, all its Military Members and their families, and God Bless each of you.  Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday!

TSgt Mark A. Smith - Arlington National Cemetery Sept 5th

TSgt Mark A. Smith, 33rd RQS Flight Engineer who died when the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter in which he was flying went down during a training mission, will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on September 5, 2013 at 11:00 Easter Daylight Time.  Lt Col Pedro Ortiz, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander requests that friends of Rescue please join them for this solemn remembrance.

Information will be passed on as it is received....

12,000 Recoveries within CENTCOM since 9/11

"According to a DoD study, Air Force rescue forces have recovered more than half of all joint personnel recovery missions in the CENTCOM area of operations with 2 percent of the deployed rotary-wing aircraft.  According to the Air Force, this achievement has resulted in over 12,000 recoveries in CENTCOM since Sept. 11, 2001." - Mick Harper

Simply amazing work that our Rescue Heroes do every day.  That's 12,000 people who have gotten to go home to their loved ones, 12,000 families who got to hold their loved one again, 12,000 fathers/mothers/brothers/sisters/sons/daughters that were brought home.  12,000 plus lives effected because of your selfless acts.

Thank you for all you do!

And thank you "That Others May Live Foundation" for passing on this information!

AF Special Tactics PJs Rescue Alabama Teen

On August 8th, SSgt Matthew Macella and SSgt Chris Johnston, both special tactics pararescuemen instructors with the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlbert Field FL, were at a park, scouting the area for training purposes in the Cherokee Rock mountain range, in Sand Rock, Alabama.

"I heard a loud sliding noise, a scream and a thud about 100 meters away," stated Macella.

An 18 year old Alabama teenager had been rock climbing with his girlfriend when he slid 30 feet down a steep rock face into a crevice.

Natural instincts stepped in as Macella and Johnston quickly began to call out to the teen to try and identify his location.  They found him, still dangling and trapped approximately 8 feet above the ground.

Macella carefully navigated the climb, going through small crevices to reach the teen.  Once upon him, his medical condition was assessed and determined he was stable to move; Macella and Johnston extracted him through a 2 x 2 hole at the bottom of the crevice.  From there, they guided the teen up a 60 feet mountain face where their military vehicle awaited them and further medical treatment was given to his multiple lacerations and abrasions.  The teens girlfriend took him to the local emergency room for further evaluations.

Without the quick thinking and training that Macella and Johnston have, this teen could have been trapped for an extended period of time, thus making his injuries more severe.

AF Special Tactics Pararescuemen are mostly known for what they do within combat environments.  However, domestic situations arise on a daily basis, and they are called upon.  Their training allows them to get into restricted environments, land or sea, to extract, treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel, foreign or domestic.

For more information or if you are interested in what it takes to be a PJ visit:

http://www.afsoc.af.mil/specialtactics/pjtraining.asp

TSgt Daniel Zerbe

On August 6, 2011, TSgt Daniel Zerbe, a USAF PJ, lost his life along with 30 other US military heroes, 7 Afghan Commandos and 1 civilian interpreter when their Chinook was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

TSgt Daniel Zerbe, whose hometown was Red Lion, PA, was born in 1983.  He graduated from the local high school, that upon his death, held a memorial service for him with over a 1000 people.  A town that honored him and his family for the sacrifices that he made for our country.

"9 Line" is dedicated to TSgt Daniel Zerbe, along with our other fallen Combat Rescue Heroes.  May you always be remembered, and your sacrifices not forgotten.