Rescue team integral to contingency operations

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class J.S. Groves
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Imagine riding along outside the safety of a base and suddenly a rocket-propelled grenade blows a hole in the ground next to a Humvee in your convoy. The blast causes the vehicle to crash and flip upside down. One of your drivers is stuck under the wreckage; you have no equipment to help get him out and are miles from any base. As the convoy commander, who do you turn to for help?

The Airmen in the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron are ready to help.

The 64th ERQS consists of pararescuemen from the 38th Rescue Squadron; helicopter crews and aircraft from the 41st Rescue Squadron; and maintainers assigned to the 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit, all from Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

The combat search and rescue team is an integral part of any contingency operation.

“The traditional combat search and rescue role of picking up downed pilots during ... operations has transitioned into broader personnel recovery operations in this global war on terrorism,” said Lt. Col. Lee dePalo, 64th ERQS commander. “Our operations not only cover the Air Force, but any branch of service that needs our assistance.”

“If there is rescue situation that other components don’t have the capability to support, the joint search and rescue center will call us,” said Colonel dePalo. His squadron is credited with saving 36 people and assisting eight other from March 2002 to June 2003 during Operation Enduring Freedom. They also rescued another seven people since arriving to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in December.

A situation like the one referenced earlier is exactly why they are called on to respond, said Senior Airman Ed Ha, a pararescueman assigned to the 64th ERQS.

Most other rescue-capable units are not as equipped with the tools needed for that type of rescue, Airman Ha said.

“With equipment like the Jaws of Life, reciprocating saw and jacksaw ... we can cut someone out in a short time and get them the medical attention they need,” he said.

The 64th ERQS Airmen accomplish their missions with the help of HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters, a modified version of an Army Black Hawk helicopter. They are and is equipped with two .50-caliber machine guns, a chaff and flare defense system, night-vision capabilities and an infrared system to enhance low-level night operations.

Two pilots, one flight engineer, one aerial gunner and two pararescuemen fly each mission.

“We are pretty much capable of performing a rescue in any type of environment,” Airman Ha said. “We function like a high-speed ambulance.”

With a top speed of 184 mph, the helicopter can get where it needs to go within minutes.

“It is the Ferrari of helicopters,” said Capt. Timothy Buck, a pilot assigned to the unit.

Most of what 64th ERQS Airmen do here is mirrored by the rescue operations in the movie “Black Hawk Down,” Airman Ha said.

Pararescuemen can rappel down and be picked up by rope ladder, or they can be hoisted into the rescue helicopter by an external rescue hoist.

The Airmen use litters, backboards, vital-sign monitors and oxygen to provide needed medical attention after a rescue. They are can provide sustained medical care for one patient for 72 hours and three patients for 24 hours. The combat medics can also perform light surgery, if necessary, before reaching a medical facility.

“While in a combat environment where there may be ground fire, it takes everyone being alert to make a rescue successful and not ending up victims ourselves,” Airman Ha said. “Having the aerial gunners there providing cover for us when we are doing our job makes it much easier to concentrate on the rescue itself. They’ve got our backs.”

“(Combat rescues are) a family atmosphere. Nobody is in it for the glory,” said Master Sgt. Mike Pearce, an aerial gunner who mans one of the machine guns capable of firing 700 to 800 rounds a minute. “We’re here to do the mission. That is the bottom line and what we are all about.”

Between rescue missions, there is a lot going on to keep the unit ready.

“Our diversity is our strength,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Guddeck, a 64th ERQS scheduler. “With (all of our specialists), we are able to keep this mission running.”

“Between calls, we keep current on training and perform what we like to call mission rehearsals,” Colonel dePalo said.

During rehearsals, aerial-gunnery tactics are honed, and simulations of rescue pickups are practiced, Colonel dePalo said.

The pararescuemen also keep certified on medical procedures and attend refresher classes, said 1st Lt. David Moss, a combat rescue officer.

“Keeping fit is a No. 1 priority in pararescue operations,” Lieutenant Moss said.

A strict physical-training regimen is necessary for day-to-day operations. Many times a pararescuemen will have 100 pounds or more of equipment to carry, Lieutenant Moss said.

“The 64th ERQS is on call to cover any (combat rescues) in Iraq,” Colonel dePalo said.