No life left behind -- rescuers save pets, too

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Elaine Mayo
  • Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service Public Affairs
JACKSON, Miss. (AFPN) --  When Senior Master Sgt. James Sanchez goes on a rescue mission here, he makes sure the basic tools of the trade are in order -- a secure hoist, communication equipment, ear protection, water, dog biscuits and a can of cat treats.

To him, no one gets left behind.

"It's hard to turn away an animal that is going to die … if you don't get them out," said Sergeant Sanchez, a pararescueman with Air Force Reserve Command's 306th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

"If they come to me, I take them. If they run away, I can't chase them," Sergeant Sanchez said. But the pararescueman said it seems like the animals know the PJs are there to rescue lives and want to be taken.

"It's amazing how many dogs run up to you wanting to be rescued," the reservist said. "We had dogs chasing the helo. One dog swam through the water and jumped on a PJ."

Sept. 10 was no different. With a 7 a.m. takeoff time, one HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter with Sergeant Sanchez on board headed for New Orleans with a list of names and addresses of Crescent City residents still unaccounted for.

As the pilot positioned the helicopter over a house, Sergeant Sanchez was grabbing a helmet bag, loading it with bottles of water and a bag of dog biscuits. A can of cat treats was already in his pocket.

"When we go into a house, a dog could be going crazy, so you give him something to eat and it calms him down," Sergeant Sanchez said.

With his helmet bag slung over his shoulder, Sergeant Sanchez and Tech. Sgt. Paul Schultz, another PJ from the 306th, clung onto the hoist in tandem and descended to the rooftop. The first floor of the house was still flooded.

Sergeant Sanchez disappeared into an opening in the roof looking for survivors. He found no people on the second floor, but did find a cat.

"It was real friendly," Sergeant Sanchez said. "He came right up to me meowing and started rubbing up against me, kneading his paws on my leg."

The sergeant could tell the cat wanted to be rescued.

"He didn't fight me as I put him into the helmet bag," Sergeant Sanchez said. He later named the cat PJ. The pararescueman has 22 cat rescues to his credit.

“The guys are starting to tease me and call me 'cat man,'" Sergeant Sanchez said.

But that's OK with him. He has a pet of his own, and has been thinking about getting a cat for his daughter.

"I have a dog so I put myself in their (evacuees) position. If my house flooded, I would have my family leave and I'd stay behind with my dog if I couldn't take him," Sergeant Sanchez said.

During evacuations, the pararescueman said he has seen dogs locked in bathrooms with no food or water.

"I open the windows and doors so they can get out when the water goes down ... I give them water and food," he said.

Since he began rescue operations Aug. 30, Sergeant Sanchez has rescued 11 dogs and about 60 people. The first night out he rescued 47 people.

"I've gotten more saves here than in my 22 years being a PJ," Sergeant Sanchez said.

The helicopter crew flew PJ the cat to a nearby forward refueling point near Metarie, La.

Tech. Sgt. Vicky Major, an Air National Guard Airman with the 159th Fighter Wing in Belle Chase, La., was there to offer a helping hand.

Sergeant Major held PJ while Sergeant Sanchez fed it. The cat devoured a number of treats and drank nearly one-half cup of water without stopping. Once assured PJ was safe, the Air Force reservists went on their way to locate another address.

"There's no greater feeling than to save a life," Sergeant Sanchez said. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)