Rescue crews fly into hostile zones to save lives

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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Men and women of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here provide around-the-clock personnel recovery, commonly known as combat search and rescue, for American and coalition warfighters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

But unlike past wars where aircraft were lost every week, the mission in Afghanistan has changed and taken on an additional role here in Regional Command-South to conduct casualty evacuations, said Maj. Christopher Escajeda, the 41st ERQS director of operations.

The majority of the unit is composed mainly of members from the 41st Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., but the unit also includes aircrew, pararescuemen and support members from the 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., and the 304th Rescue Squadron from Portland, Ore.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates requires teams to respond within 60 minutes from the time a medical alert drops to the time wheels touch down at a medical facility to transfer a patient to a higher level of care; a concept commonly referred to as the "Golden Hour," he said.

Crews work on a 24/7 operations tempo and are always on alert. Often referred to as the "9-1-1 of southern Afghanistan," the squadron staff provides critical medical care not only for all International Security Assistance Force members, but also for local Afghan civilians, Afghan National Army and Police. Forty to 50 percent of their operations result in the medical evacuation and care of Afghans.

"What makes the (unit members) unique compared to other medical evacuation teams is their training and equipment. They use their personnel recovery and CSAR skill-set to conduct CASEVAC quicker and better than anyone in theater," Major Escajeda said.

They are able to go into hostile situations to rescue downed aircrew or ground forces and have the defensive capabilities to protect their aircraft and troops on the ground.

Pararescuemen and combat rescue officers are specially trained for a variety of situations, to include mountaineering, skydiving, and scuba diving, in addition to a variety of specialty training in weapons and rescue equipment. What makes them unique is all pararescuemen are trained paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrews go through years of extensive training to include low-level terrain flight, instrument and night-vision goggle use, shipboard operations, and helicopter aerial refueling.

They are some of the world's best trained aviators and can fly in any environment, anywhere in the world, he said.

"Every day these Air Force warriors go into harm's way, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get to those in need. Risking their lives, they hold true to their motto: These things we do so that others may live," he said.