Why PJs are Awesome
One last post before I embark on my trip (*silent scream*) to highlight the amazing skill set PJs have. These guys are put through the ringer to make sure they have operational capabilities in all terrains and climates on land, air and sea. They are paramedic qualified and must remain so throughout their service. By the end of their training, they can do pretty much everything except major surgery out in the field while under enemy fire. That alone is impressive, but there’s more.
PJs are jump qualified in both static line drop and freefall (HALO) jumps. If you don’t know what a High Altitude Low Opening jump is, you’ll see a snippet of one in the clip to follow. Google it if you want more info, but basically anyone who can perform them has to be nuts. PJs need this capability in order to be dropped in to a target area, and that’s when the bulk of their training comes into play. Obviously they’re extensively trained in combat and survival tactics, since they frequently operate behind enemy lines or in denied areas.
They attend Combat Diver school. They must pass Underwater Egress training where they’re taught how to escape a sinking aircraft (makes me shiver just thinking about it, but if you’re interested you can watch the end of The Perfect Storm to see the Nighthawk pilot bailing out of his sinking helo). Then they top it off with a kind of baptism-by-fire apprenticeship where they get their final training while assigned to a team out in the field. Hello gut-check.
All this and much more, for the privilege of wearing the coveted maroon beret and risking their lives to save others. I can’t imagine the pay’s that great, so let’s hope job satisfaction makes up for the deficit. Here’s another clip from the Pararescue website, detailing the training and missions a PJ faces. All I know is, I’m glad there are brave men willing to step up and take on this job “so that others may live”.
Pararescue Jumpers
I’ve just finished reading a good non-fiction book about the battle of Roberts Ridge (Takur Ghar, Afghanistan) in March 2002. It details a SEAL insertion gone wrong that cost the life of SEAL Petty Officer Neil Roberts, which quickly morphs into a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission. It involves SEALs, PJs, combat controllers (CCT), Night Stalkers and their crews, Rangers and medics. Among the casualties was 26 year old PJ Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, who was mortally wounded during the mission.
From the pararescue website, I’ve included a video clip giving an overview of what PJs do. In the entire Department of Defense, the PJs are the only group specifically trained and equipped to go into hostile or denied territory to perform search and rescue missions. They often deploy with an AFSOC Special Tactics team, which would likely include a CCT, weatherman, security forces, etc. But they also respond during civilian humanitarian missions, for example disasters like Hurricane Katrina or mass floods, etc, and all to save people’s lives. How can you not love that?
Give this clip a look-see and then you’ll know why I find these guys so fascinating.
Here Come the PJs
Here they are: the Pararescue Jumpers. These guys are part of the Air Force Special Operations Command, and talk about amazing. They’re half commando/half paramedics who go deep behind enemy lines to rescue downed air crews or other wounded and extract them. You’ve already seen them in action if you’ve watched The Perfect Storm or Blackhawk Down. They’re the guys putting their lives on the line to protect the wounded until they can be evacuated. Their creed says it all:
It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live.
I’m feverishly working out the plot for a series of five books (though probably novella length this time), and at least two of the heroes will be PJs. I’ll write another post later on highlighting the training and skill set these amazing warriors have, but if you’re interested you can check out this Pararescue website for more information. It’s tough to find good information on PJs because there’s not a lot out there, but I managed to find a book listed on Amazon that received good reviews from former PJs. Must be okay, right? This new series will be set at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Aside from PJs, it will feature female aviators and Emergency Flight Nurses, plus a few Night Stalker pilots. Can’t wait for everything to start falling into place!