Pararescuemen train to save lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lausanne Morgan
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
STONEY COVE, England (AFNS) --  Members of the 56th Rescue Squadron conducted subsurface search, rescue and recovery training here recently.

The pararescuemen trained in a controlled environment, allowing them to focus on their curriculum without being disturbed. The cove, far from the English coastline, provided a closed-off area with pre-positioned tugboats, helicopters and other various wrecks with various depths.

"The purpose of us being down here is for the dive supervisor, who is attached to the 56th RQS, and the divers to prep themselves for theatre, whether it be Iraq or over in Afghanistan," said retired Master Chief Petty Officer Doug Westling, a 56th Rescue Squadron master diver. "They're getting ready to deploy, and they need to sharpen their diving skills."

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Diola, a 56th Rescue Squadron pararescueman and dive supervisor, is in charge of all aspects of diving, safety and operations.

Before, during and after the dive, the individuals are briefed, they run through scenarios and they perform equipment checks.

"I make sure we perform pre-dive checks, execution and post-dive procedures and just (ensure) everyone is staying within the Navy and Air Force dive regulations," Sergeant Diola said.

The pararescuemen must wear dry suits as a safety measure. Dry suits protect PJs from exposure to contaminants while they are in the water.

Airmen from the 56th RQS brought between 1,500 to 1,800 pounds of equipment to the training site. They brought scuba diving gear, air tanks and mannequins for performing various scenarios.

"They'll do insertion dives where they'll simulate going down into a downed aircraft, perform extractions with mannequins to simulate recovering bodies, and dexterity evolutions to simulate being found and doing emergency egresses," Mr. Westling said. "These are the final skill sets they're going to perfect prior to them deploying."

For the pararescuemen of the 56th RQS, diving is all about saving lives and, most would tell you, a way of life.

"I love my job," Sergeant Diola said. "Just the personal connection you get with the people you go out and save and the group of guys is one of the best things about it. Rescue, in itself, is a real personal thing, and it's really satisfying."