Inside Look at One of the U.S. Military’s Most Elite Special Forces: USAF Pararescue
- Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:45pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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The Daily has begun an in-depth look into the U.S. Military’s most elite special operatives. Beginning with the Air Force’s pararescue special forces, also known as parajumpers or “PJs,” this is the first segment of the four-part series:
The PJs are trained in both emergency rescue and medical care. These are the specialists that execute high-risk rescues to recover fallen warriors, treat their injuries, and get them out alive. The USAF Pararescue official website gives this overview of the elite group:
“It’s a way of life – like no other. Born out of the mountainous jungles of Burma during WWII, pararescuemen save lives, regardless of personal sacrifice. They put the needs of those in danger higher than their own. PARARESCUEMEN are a close-knit team. We’re professionals – dedicated to the mission and proud of our heritage.”
Three pararescuemen were among the 31 American casualties in the Taliban insurgent attack upon a U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan last month, the single bloodiest episode thus far for U.S. forces in the Afghanistan war. According to The Daily, PJs are credited with saving at least 1,000 lives in combat zones overseas since 9/11. PJs also perform civilian rescues from natural disasters to downed commercial airplanes. PJs from the Air Force’s 943rd Rescue Group were credited with saving 1,043 lives after Hurricane Katrina.
Pararescueman Mark Bedell describes the team’s bond to The Daily:
“’Pararescuemen is a deep brotherhood,’ Bedell said. ‘We train constantly together. We deploy together … So we trust each other with our lives.’”
The second episode of the series focuses on the A-10 Thunderbolt II ,one most feared tools in the U.S. military’s arsenal. Below is the view from the A10 Tank Attack Cockpit:
Pararescueman Mark Bedell talks about one of his most intense missions:
Capt. Scott Redmond on what its like to pilot an A-10, “The Hog,” and the heart-wrenching experience of losing a colleague in Afghanistan:
Lt. Colonel Jeremy Turner tells The Daily about operation Anacada; which he calls the most dangerous situation he has ever been in:
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Comments (89)
Gypsy123
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:15amThey are wonderful and deserve better than what our government is giving them.
Report Post »dragonazz
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:22amFighting Medics! They do it all. My friend just retired from the PJ’S,the things he had to do were unbelievable. Montauk open water swim,High altitude jumps,scuba,mountain rescues,valley rescues all while taking on fire and fighting the enemy. Dropping in a hot LZ on purpose to save lives,sometimes to rescue what turned out to be unfortunately dead fighters and taking casualties themselves. They never leave anybody behind! The BEST!
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:19amMy first five years (87-92) was spent in the Ranger Reg. We had nothing but the highest respect for the PJs.
Report Post »warrior21
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:14amIt seems lately all we hear about is the elite Special Operations personnel. First it was the SEALS and now it’s the Air Force’s Para Jumpers. Each one of these units claiming to be the best of the best. Commenter WEWANTCHILLYWILLY even claims that the Para Jumpers could ambush an entire city if they wanted to. I guessing he knows nothing about ambushes.
Report Post »I have nothing against elite units having spent 20 of my 26 years Army years in Special Forces. Each elite unit thinks that they are the best of the best and that’s the way it should be. Having spent my early years (Korean War) as a grunt –rifleman- in an Infantry unit, I just like to remind everyone that although he is not considered elite, an Infantry Grunt –Solider or Marine- is one of the toughest warriors around. Day after day he patrols through the dirty villages and receives no accolades. He just does his job, and expects, and gets no thanks or praise.
When the bullets are flying they don’t know the difference between an elite soldier and a Grunt. If the helicopter that was shot down with 21 Seals and 3 Para Jumpers aboard had instead had 24 Grunts aboard would anyone have noticed? Think about it! Would some be calling for the flag to be half-masted for them? I doubt it, since we lost 245 grunts in one day in Vietnam and no one asked that the flags be half-masted. So save a little praise for the grunts…they deserve it.
M100Spiral
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:52pm@WARRIOR21
Report Post »I have read what you have written, and, yes, you are right!
When I lived in the Midwest, I had to use the VA System for Specialty Care services that I could not afford with my medical insurance. I lived in Southwest Missouri and would drive down to Fayetteville, AR, in the early morning hours so that I could catch a VA shuttle to Little Rock.
On the journey back, while the van was being refueled, many average citizens would come up to the van, look inside, and shake our hands while thanking us for our military service. These citizens never knew what each veteran did during his or her military service. They were just thankful that we volunteered our time and services!!!
By the way, THANK YOU for protecting our nation for 26 years!
Marine 1
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:01amHey PJ’s — We’ve got your six! You all do excellent work. On behalf of my father, a retired USAF Lt. Colonel and pilot for 27 years (now deceased), and myself, a former Army Officer and Marine Corps Sergeant, thank you so very much for all you Americans do. God bless you guys and God bless the United States of America. For Freedom…Semper Fidelis.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:50amDitto.
Retired Army Senior Non-Com.
Report Post »A1C Arvizu
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:07amwe’re all in this together, my dad was a recon marine in the 80′s, Im going pararescue, my brother plans on going ranger, one buddy is a marine mp(trying to convice him to go recon) another buddy who is going green beret. What makes us so good is that each branch is the best at what we do and when we work together we kick as. “That Others May Live”
Report Post »HTuttle
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:41amGreat stuff!
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:32pmSo that others may live. These guys go through “pipeline” aka superman school. it has the highest drop out rate because it is such a long process; about 2 years. This is a unit that really does not get much press at all. They are paramedics that can ambush an entire city if they want to.
special forces are a lot like doctors that specialize. what’s better? a heart surgeon or a brain surgeon? there is no better, only more area of specialty. and a lot of the time, they work together.
I’ll be interested in the Marine Force Recon article. You don’t hear much about them either.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:17amFree-falling angels. Thank you!
Report Post »savagemonger
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:18amThat looks pretty cool.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »A1C Arvizu
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:11am“So that others may live” is the Navy Airr rescue, “That Others May Live” is the Air Force PJs sorry but it bothers me when people mix them up
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:28pmThere is not enough THANKS for our GUYS in the Military. Thank you for protecting our Freedoms! GOD’s Speed
Report Post »half pint
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:16pmYou spelled elite wrong on the main page
Report Post »longun45
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:16pmThese guys were tough in the 70s, Hopefully just as tough now. These guys were the best of the best and did a lot of rescues in Vietnam. I wish the current crop of para rescue guys all the best. Thanks for getting out there.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:09pmget some.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:06pmThat guy in the picture seems a little too muscular. If you‘ve watched MMA fights you’ll know that the guys with a lot of muscle tire out quickly. Muscle uses up a lot of oxygen and glycogen. Look at some of the best Ultimate fighters like Anderson Silva, almost skinny, but quick and alert. Special forces needs to deemphasize bulk in favor of endurance and quickness.
Report Post »Ryntintin
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:16pmThis man(HERO) is 5 foot 6 and bless his heart. Thank USA troops. God Bless America
Report Post »22hornet
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:20ammossbrain is just a troll don’t reply
Report Post »ProudPJ
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:44pmWhat!?!
Report Post »pjwife
Posted on September 18, 2011 at 2:23amThat GUY in the picture is 6′2, and is THE largest person I know, muscle wise. He is also a hero, he is my son’s Godfather, and he was recently awarded a bronze star for taking fire while making sure other people made it home safely. He has plenty of bulk and he uses it That Others May Live. Mossbrain, turn off your TV and your ultimate fighting and go do something useful.
Report Post »WASP
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:38pmHealthy competition is good, but every branch seems to want to boast having the best commando training/unit…First, it was the ‘Green Berets’ popularized by the ‘Billy Jack’ sequel…Then came the Force Recon wave, when the movie, ‘Electric Glide in Blue’ came out starring Robert Blake…Then…I believe Nicolas Cage made a movie as a war-vet Ranger, kicking ass with a vengence….And, lately it’s been the Seals….I reckon the Air Force wants some credit….Altho, I would give then something more macho than PJ’s….I wore PJ’s as a kid. Does this qualify me as one?
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:00pmYou should take note that it isn’t the service members themselves “boasting.” The respective branches, more probably the civilian leaders of the services, deserve some credit. The service members almost always shun attention. I am guessing that the more press a unit gets the more funding they can ask for.
As a member of the 82nd years ago I was VERY proud of what I did for a living. They don’t give jump wings away for the heck of it. My class started with 603 students. 204 of us graduated. My CIB was even tougher to get and not one I asked for. It was everything I could do to support my wife, one son & myself.
You certainly don’t have to serve to be a patriotic American. But those that do earn every ounce of respect and pay they can get. There are billions of dollars of waste in general military spending. Cut all of that out but remember we aren’t just “the troops.” We are people with families and lives outside of military service. Yes we volunteered to do it. Yes we know the pay scale ahead of time. Nobody in their right mind does it for the money!
So if you see a service member with a little swagger in their step – understand that they earned the right to it with blood, sweat and sometimes tears.
Report Post »ComeAndTakeThis
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:20pmEach branch has establised its special force to meet the mission needs of that particular branch of service. These men are the best of the best our country has to offer and should receive our deepest respect and gratitude.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:27am@82dAirborne
Report Post »And everyone else on here who served: Thank you for your service.
ProudPJ
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:58pmThe intials “PJ” came from how we signed the passenger manifest during the Korean war. MC=Mission commander, CP=Copilot, FE=Flight Engineer, and PJ=Para jumper. We can live with PJ. We never required a “kill them all and let God sort them out” name.
Report Post »As far as our unit needing attention………..that would be the media needing a story. We work very well with the other services and highly respect the work that they do.
BTW, what did you do in the military?
A1C Arvizu
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:14amThat is so not funny I would like to see you try and survive through 9 weeks of torture
Report Post »MUDFLAPS
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:11pmThese are the best we have. Greater love hath no man that he would give up his life for a friend.
Report Post »I salute every soldier. I wish our president would do the same. This is the worst most unqualified person to ever enter the oval office. Including the cleaning staff.
Zion1830
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:08pmMess with the best, die like the rest!
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:02pmUnited States Military! There is not a finer group of men & women in the world that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect their Country and their fellow Military personnel.
It is truly unfortunate that their current Commander in Chief – BUMA- is so pathetic!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:57pmSo proud of all of our military men and women you all are the best that humanity can find.The fact that i can live and sleep freely is because of you and your sacrifice to guard our Home Land with your very souls.So my gift to you is to fight the bad guys who snuck into our White House to destroy us from within……. God bless you all your awesome
Report Post »HOn3yB33
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:42pmTo all our military men and women-simply thank you for all you do and for all your sacrifices. We love you. You are the best.
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:29pmI am glad we have such a force to save soldiers lives but if we just did away with “zero collateral damage” and the “seven rules of engagement” we would not only have saved those lives but have been free to use the most advanced weaponry against the Taliban and win. Just our air force, our aircraft carriers, our nuclear powered submarines to our missile system would have made a short order to the Afghani war with a minimum of loss of our soldiers. The biggest KILLER of our soldiers is not the Taliban but the lawyers who grafted this politically correct rules.
Report Post »the58thstate
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:34pmagree
Report Post »UnionPipefitter
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:41pmThat‘s what I’ve been saying. The rules of engagement is killing our soldiers. That’s why the body count went up after BHO took office.
Report Post »Shellback
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:46pmThe objective of war is punish the “enemy” so that they will lose all desire for war. But that doesn’t seem to affect the moooslims who have been punished by the Russians and all other warfare in the “STANS”. Pigs blood is like garlic/cross to a vampire. Use it and screw the MSM outcry of foul. The only fowl is the MSM. They nothing but an eclectic group and self patting on the back jerks.
Report Post »the58thstate
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:29pmi was just talking to my son about them yesterday and how nobody has ever heard of them. to see this today makes me hope its a sign of him going into the air force. thanks to the blaze for showing the people these heros.
Report Post »proliance
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:38pmIf the rules haven’t changed since I was in, you’re not able to join the AF as a PJ, you have to cross train into the field.
http://www.pararescue.com/overview.aspx
Report Post »Joey8
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:00pmWhen I was in basic 3 yrs ago there were quit a few guys with contracts to try out. You can get it in your contract, same with combat controllers and tac-p. Don’t need to crosstrain, you might be thinking of SEALS
Report Post »hpshooter
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:11pmProliance..I don’t know when you were in BMTS but our billets were next to the PJs at SP School and they had new recruits there in the early 80s.
Unfortunately our brave troops are hamstrung by cowards that are politically correct politicians. All they care to win is reelection; and regularly use the military as the photo op du jour.
AATW to the PJs, SOF units and all out troops
Report Post »MMR
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:05pmRight after basic you can head to PJ school as long as you pass their test.
Report Post »preppymom
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:26pmI saw a news report about the division that disables bombs. They were amazing too. One of them said that you just have to come to terms with the fact that you are probably going to die and then it gets easier. I admire them so much for all that they do.
http://www.crackingthemalecode.com/
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:15amMy cousin wrote those very words from Viet Nam — He was a medic and wrote home “don’t worry about me. I don’t” — I believe he wrote that because he knew he was going to die and it was just a matter of when. He was killed about 2 months later and shipped home in a box.
Report Post »proliance
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:24pmBTW, it was two USAF PJ’s who went down with the chopper. The other AF member was a combat controller.
Report Post »A1C Arvizu
Posted on September 6, 2011 at 1:00amyou don’t apply for it because you have to qualify for it in basic, thats what my recruiter said, he told to put something else for my afsc but he said as long as i pass the spec ops p.a.s.t i will make it to the indoc course. 7 more months till training begins!!!! USAF #1
Report Post »CrazyTexan
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:24pmI know that this is totally off topic but anyone near Austin Tx, needs to get together a bug out bag. The area is on fire! Multiple evacuations including Steiner Ranch, Bastrop, Liberty Hill, Spicewood. Get together your important stuff now incase they can’t get a handle on this and you need to grab and go. Multiple homes have already burned to the ground! Central Texas is a tinder box and with the winds (no rain) from TS Lee it can move at the speed of the wind, keep your eyes open!!!!!
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:39pmDeep South Texas has been on fire alert, too. All of Texas is bone dry! Pray for rain!
Report Post »CrazyTexan
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:41pmNo, IT IS ON FIRE NOW!!!!
Report Post »Blutobot
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:24pmThese guys are rarely acknowledged for their skills which are some of the best of the best! I know one and they are every bit as good as any Special Forces group in any branch of the Military.
Report Post »proliance
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:22pmThe USAF PJ’s train with the Army and Navy so they go in battle along with them. And they accompany the SEALs on many of their missions as well.
When you see a military chopper with a large red cross on the side, it means they are medical non-combatants. The Pedros do not have the red cross on the side of their chopper. They fly into enemy territory to do battle. Their job is to rescue the good guys behind enemy lines and they are ready, willing and able to take out anyone who gets in the way of their mission.
Go USAF! (from a former USAF SSGT)
Report Post »bioengineer
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:20pmPJs are awesome, I worked with many in the military. As a slight correction though, PJs are not “Special Forces.” The term Special Forces refers specifically to Army SF, aka the “Green Berets.” PJs are a Special Operations Force (SOF). SF is only the Army. SOF is the general term that encompases all the various special warfare units in all the different branches, such as Army SF (Green Berets), Rangers, SEALs, SWCC, PJs, CCT, Force Recon, EOD, etc., among others. I see a lot of pro-military articles, which is awesome, but it would also be nice if the media would take the time to at least get the terminology straight. Proud SOF reservist!
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:09pmWell …if they are really good…keep them out of helicopters….at least until after 2012. Seems that in the obama regime….helicopters with great soldiers in them keep getting hit by errant enemy fire.
Report Post »RushEcho2
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:16pmHeroes .!.
Report Post »bioengineer
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:32pmI‘m sorry but that comment’s a bit out of line. I don’t support Obama, but I take issue with politicizing the deaths of our troops. That mission was textbook. Wasn‘t Obama’s fault, or anybody’s. It just happened. The enemy will have victories, that’s the cost of war.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:18amYou take issue with politicizing death of troops? How on earth can you say such a thing? Troops ARE political. It’s up to the American people to VOTE to keep them safe.
I was in the military and took this pledge. It says nothing of protecting PEOPLE or POLITICIANS — It says DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION!
“Enlistment Oath.— Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:
Report Post »“I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”"
bioengineer
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:30am@Vechorik, I feel you. I‘m not saying it’s wrong to disagree with the war. I do as well, we have no business in Afghanistan. There is no clear objective, etc. I say that as someone who’s served in Afghanistan. But I see that as being very different from taking a particular incident and trying to twist that into somehow being Obama’s fault. He said, “keep them out of helicopters….at least until after 2012″ Huh?!? Like somehow choppers will become more safe with a new president? Are we to blame the laws of physics on Obama now? Statements like this really insults the men on the ground, who are the ones making the tactical decisions. They are doing the best they can with the objective they’ve been given. There are limits to our technology, choppers get shot down. It’s unavoidable. And if you don’t like the quagmire, as much as I don’t like to admit it, it’s more of a GOP than Obama problem. Obama hasn’t really done anything but continue the Bush doctrine when it comes to Iraq/Afghanistan.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:49pmGentlemen, thank you for your service for our country and freedom.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:56pmDespite how our military folks are treated and taken for granted, it always amazes me how we still have the absolute best, most talented and patriotic soldiers to be found anywhere in the world. Thank you for your service!!
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