Pararescuemen Senior Airman Eric Humphrey (left) and Master Sgt. Joe Traska prepare their ropes and pulleys for rescue training Jan 20, 2011, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The training is a high-angle, high-altitude and confined space rescue refresher for the PJs and combat rescue officers. Airman Humphrey and Sergeant Traska are with the Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar)
A pararescueman, or PJ, from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing is hauled up several stories while carrying a "victim" during rescue training Jan 20, 2011, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The training is high-angle, high-altitude and confined-space rescue refresher for PJs and combat-rescue officers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar)
A pararescueman, or PJ, from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing zip-lines to a platform during rescue training Jan 20, 2011, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This is one of many methods used by PJs and combat rescue officers to get to a patient for treatment. The training is high-angle, high-altitude and confined-space rescue refresher for PJs and CROs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar)
by Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
1/25/2011 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- An unused rocket-assembly building here is finding new life as a training facility to teach high-altitude, high-angle and confined-space rescue techniques.
Air Force Reserve pararescuemen and combat rescue officers from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here, joined their active-duty counterparts to attend a two-week rescue course in the facility. The 300-foot tall Titan rocket assembly building is providing the requisite challenges for teams that have to climb, clamp, rig and pull "survivors" up and down the steel platforms.
Rescuers wear tactical vests, body armor, radios and ballistic helmets when training. The added weight and limited mobility add realism to the training.
"We simulate anything -- any type of situation that these guys may find (themselves) in and have a victim to rescue," said Ishmael Antonio, the tactical program manager and instructor.
A retired pararescueman, or PJ, himself, Mr. Antonio travels all over the country with his team of instructors to refresh the rope skills of PJs and CROs.
"We don't tell them how to do their jobs, this is just a refresher for them," Mr. Antonio said. "These are perishable skills, ones that must be maintained."
In one training scenario, rescuers leave a 220-pound dummy on the complex floor, and then climb up the metal staircases, stopping near the top of the assembly building.
Then the clock starts. First, one PJ rappels down to the "victim" to package him up for hoisting; second, the other team members make up a rope and pulley system from the gear they have with them; third, the PJs and CROs haul up the PJ and "victim" using the pulley and rope systems; finally, they pull the PJ and "victim" to the safety of the steel platform.
As the first team finishes, a PJ from a second team several stories above them rappels to pick up where that team left off for the same goal: to get the "victim" up to the highest point in the massive complex.
"You really learn how to use the tools in your pocket," said Tech. Sgt. Adrian Durham, a reserve PJ from the 920th RQW. "Keeping everything as simple as possible is our goal here."
"We are considered rescue technicians," said Capt. James Sluder, a Reserve combat rescue officer from the 920th RQW. "This course and our knowledge of ropes give us the credibility to be able to come in and do the rescue in a timely, safe fashion."
The training helps with deployments always looming in the future and the humanitarian rescues that can happen at any time. In fact, this exact training was put to use during their deployment to Afghanistan last year where they had to extract and save more than 300 Afghan nationals from buried vehicles after an avalanche swept away a road.
"You never know what you're going to get until you get there," Mr. Antonio said.
The PJs and CROs are a unique group. Their knowledge of ropes sets them apart from the other special-forces units, and allows them to perform their duties in technically challenging areas, such as mountains, ravines, rivers and, in some cases, industrial areas, Mr. Antonio said.
"You have to be able to think quickly in these situations," Sergeant Durham said. "Time is always against you and the best protection from being killed is speed."
The 920th RQW is Air Force Reserve Command's combat search and rescue unit. There are two geographically separated units, each with their own Guardian Angel Weapons System - CROs; PJs; and search, evasion, resistance, escape specialists -- at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. and Portland International Airport, Ore.
Comments
1/27/2011 12:35:57 PM ET More to the point if you are up to date with Air Force news the Air Force has begun acquiring Multi-cam for ALL airmen who serve in a capacity outside the wire to include convoy troops security forces etc... It is not just the PJs who realize the ABUs are insufficient as a functional uniform. They're just smarter than most so they realized it faster. And since you claimed you are an HC-130 guy I would've thought you would be more supportive of your fellow rescue airmen rather than making unwarranted comments concerning what they are wearing when they train for their rather specialized job.
OEF, Afghanistan
1/27/2011 9:13:06 AM ET All I know is if the PJs want to wear purple dresses let them. When I was in Iraq doing foot patrols and convoys all I knew is that if something happened those dudes would be there to help out if we were unable to evacuate ourselves. If it were ever necessary for them to help us out I wouldn't care if they were naked and riding on unicorns. They absolutely should train in the gear they use in the field.
McCoy, FL
1/27/2011 7:29:41 AM ET As a retired PJ I'm glad to see that what we wear still provides fodder for forum. Just a couple comments. First, I went through PJ training with Ish - he is one bad hombre and probably the smartest person in the world when it comes to ropes, knots and complex problems. Good on ya, Ish, for keeping the next gen current. Second, I think when someone puts their life on the line 24x7 to save another human being it's probably ok to let them wear what they want when they hang themselves over the abyss...
MSgt Bj Stephens 82001, Kansas City KS
1/27/2011 1:53:54 AM ET Train like you fight. If these guys are deploying to OEF and wearing multi-cams they should wear them while training.
Caveman, Bedrock
1/26/2011 6:58:10 PM ET The point i'm trying to make was these guys are at home and are not wearing the ABUs. If the ABUs are not functional for them even in a training environment at home what makes them functional for everyone else who could get tasked go outside the wire performing duties in combat? BTW I am a flyer - a HC-130 guy at that too. The comment was not to diminish what these guys are doing - my bad it came off as being snarky.
b_s, FBNC
1/26/2011 3:42:43 PM ET I am prior AF Reserve stationed at Eglin and have many friends that are in AFSOC. Who really cares what uniform they wear the only thing the PJ's care about is their creed so OTHERS may liveLike BT and the TSGT said either serve next to them or shut up
MB, FL
1/26/2011 2:32:30 PM ET To the previous comment you must not understand what it takes to be outside the wire or you would understand why the MULTICAM patterns applies to a wide variety of enviornments. Swoopy-guys dont call them selfs that they are quiet professionals. Im sure while you were sitting at your desk drinking your coffee its hard to imagine that there are those of us who serve in a capacity outside of the normal ABU wear.
TSGT Rescue, Nellis
1/26/2011 11:36:02 AM ET Air Force members complaining about not having cool uniforms is embarassing. Don't get mad at AFSOC guys wearing multicam or flyers wearing flightsuits. We earned the right to wear them. Either try to earn that same right by joining such a career field or be quiet.
BT, Florida
1/25/2011 8:41:46 PM ET I guess the ABUs aren't good enough for these guys. Thought the mult-cams where for the ultra-swoopy guys going forward...guess I was wrong.
