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Essential logistics support makes personnel recovery possible

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) --  Before any rescue mission can happen, special operations Airmen must be properly equipped, a responsibility to which the members of the 38th Rescue Squadron logistics flight are dedicated.

Members of the 38th RQS logistics flight are responsible for all aircrew flight equipment, communication devices and maritime operations and essential support to special operators at home station and downrange.

"Our special ops Airmen rely on this flight to provide them with top-notch equipment so they can get to where they need to be, do the job they need to do and get home," said Capt. Joshua Peter, the 38th RQS logistics flight commander. "Without the support of all these sections, our rescue mission would not be able to happen."

Often, the job required of the pararescuemen, combat rescue officers and survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists takes them to missions in isolated locations, sometimes on short notice.

One of the three sections that support these missions is the radio communications section. The three-person team is responsible for making sure the Airmen can properly communicate when needed.

"Good communication support ensures the special ops Airmen are able to talk to each other and to the aircraft in order to pass on vital information, such as which direction enemy fire is coming from," said Senior Airman Jacob Manee, a 38th RQS logistics flight radio frequency transmission systems journeyman. "Because of the nature of their job, they often travel in small teams and must be able to communicate efficiently."

Along with basic radios, the section members also provide global positioning satellite systems.

"Having reliable GPS units helps them not only get to the rendezvous point or point of impact, but also assures them they have the most up-to-date maps available to help navigate unfamiliar terrain," Airman Manee said. "We get them the best equipment so they can focus on their mission."

That terrain isn't always on land. Special operations Airmen also conduct missions on water. For those situations, the maritime operations section members are there.

"We're responsible for maintaining all maritime equipment not only for water missions, but also water training, which can happen as often as three to four times a month," said Patrick Sinon, a 38th RQS logistics flight boat master and retired pararescueman. "The equipment we maintain ensures that anyone who is downed in a water environment can be saved because their rescuers are ready and have all the tools they need."

The equipment includes safety boats, boat motors and buoyancy compensation vests. The rest of the maritime equipment is scuba gear such as air tanks, regulators and alternate rescue craft that have sleds to secure injured patients.

When access to a rescue location is not feasible by boat or land travel, pararescuemen may have to be airdropped in. Members of the aircrew flight equipment section help make it possible.

The AFE Airmen are responsible for the maintenance and repair of parachutes, airdrop equipment, parachutist oxygen systems, life rafts, cargo bundles and dive equipment, among many other things.

"We're continually working with our special operations counterparts to make sure they have everything they need for missions and training," said Staff Sgt. Clifford Sisk, a 38th RQS logistics flight AFE craftsman. "With all the equipment we handle, we help support all capabilities, including high altitude, mountaineering, land and water mass casualties, night vision, jump operations and airdrop missions."

In addition to assisting Moody's special operations Airmen, the 38th RQS logistics flight members also support NASA at a transatlantic location in Germany that's able to provide help in the event astronauts must bail from a space shuttle.

"No matter what the mission involves, the operators know the equipment they are launching (has) been worked on by true professionals," Captain Peter said. "If any of this equipment is not maintained to the highest standards, it could be the difference between life and death.

"These logistics Airmen are led by NCOs who set them up for success, and they all work exceptionally hard to help bring back every last Airman," he said.