Pararescue

Callie, a 26-month-old Dutch shepherd, is one of the newest additions to the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron in Louisville, Ky. She is the Kentucky Air Guard’s first member of the 123rd Search and Rescue K-9 program, making her the only search and rescue dog in the entire Department of Defense.

Airmen and family members with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and the 31st Rescue Squadron conducted a five-mile memorial ruck march in honor of two fallen pararescuemen. United States Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Barton, from the 320th STS, and Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, from the 24th Special Operations Wing, died from injuries sustained in training […]

An Air Force Pararescueman is slated to become the military’s most senior enlisted man. The Pentagon announced that Chief Master Sergeant Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez will be the new Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC). The Air Commando will be the fourth holder of the position. Army General Mark […]

On Tuesday, 8 October a Pararescueman (PJ) was killed during mountain rescue training in Boise, Idaho. Technical Sergeant Peter Kraines, 33, was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing (24th SOW). In a press release, U.S. Air Force Colonel Matthew Allen, the commanding officer of the 24th SOW, said that “this […]

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron looks out over the ocean while aboard an HH-60G Pave Hawk, July 26, 2019, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 31st RQS consists of combat rescue officers, pararescue specialists and survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists who work together to facilitate the return […]

U.S. Air Force pararescueman Staff Sgt. Aaron Metzger was awarded the Bronze Star with valor last week for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan last year. The special operations Airman assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron (RQS) withstood significant injuries from both small arms fire and grenade shrapnel during an hours-long firefight that Metzger […]

The 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, participate in a High Altitude Low Open (HALO) parachute jump from a C-130 Hercules on April 20, 2019 near Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti City.

The 79th Rescue Squadron (79th RQS) has won the That Others May Live Foundation Rescue Squadron of the Year Award for 2018. This is the first time in history that the unit managed to earn the prestigious award. The award is given to the rescue squadron that earns the highest marks in four categories: combat […]

Just the other day the news broke that the Air Force had a woman in the training pipeline to be a member of the Air Force’s Special Operations Command (AFSOC). By entering the pipeline, she became just the 5th woman to attempt to join AFSOC. The woman chose the very important and demanding career path […]

The Air Force Cross is the highest service specific award an Airman can receive, and the second highest military decoration for valor awarded by the United States.  It represents gallantry in action against enemies of our nation, but in many ways, it represents much more.  Being awarded the Air Force Cross places airmen in a […]

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and since most of you are already 12 Pabst Blue Ribbons deep, no commentary this week. I’m taking the Pats alllllllll day. -BK  Watch for PJ August O’Neill: WASHINGTON —  As fans don their colors Sunday to show support for their teams during Super Bowl LI, the Defense Department will also show […]

Everyone knows it sucks to be the medic. Especially the medics themselves. You have to carry more shit, go to a bunch more schools, be kinda smart, and then, when the shit hits the fan, you’re dragging dudes behind cover instead of dealing death. For years, in the combat medicine world, it has been SOP […]