Pararescuemen reach higher ground, increase skills during mountain training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
It's summertime in Oregon, and pararescuemen from the 304th Rescue Squadron are making the most of it. They slather on sunscreen, put on their sunglasses and pack their bags for a few days in the sun -- and snow.

While many people are hitting the beaches at this time of year, approximately a dozen 304th RQS pararescuemen, commonly known as PJs, are hitting the rocky trails and snowy glaciers of Mount Hood. The rescue Airmen stationed at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., spent June 25-29 on the mountain, practicing survival and search-and-rescue skills in the cold environment and rugged terrain.

The 304th RQS is a geographically separated unit of the 920th Rescue Wing -- Air Force Reserve Command's only combat search-and-rescue wing -- based at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

Master Sgt. Derrick Brooks, 304th RQS upgrade training noncommissioned officer in charge, said the excursion on Mount Hood is called Mountain 101 training.

"We're fortunate to have Mount Hood right here in our backyard," said Brooks, who led the training for his fellow PJs. "We bring the guys up and do everything starting with the basics ... clothing, layering, doing high-angle crevasse rescue, and everything in between."

Brooks, who has been with the 304th RQS for more than a decade, said the training benefits pararescuemen of all skill levels. While the newer PJs are learning fresh skills, the more seasoned rescue Airmen continually improve their skills on the mountain.

"It's very important to come up [to Mount Hood] as often as you can; the more repetitions you have of any task no matter what it is, the better you're going to be at it. You can't retain everything from the first couple mountain trips; it takes years to get really good on the mountain," Brooks said.

Over the past several years, the 304th RQS has been developed a symbiotic relationship with a group of people who are really good on the mountain: the Crag Rats.

Established in 1926, the Crag Rats of Hood River Valley, Ore., the oldest alpine search-and-rescue organization in the country, provide necessary search-and-rescue support on Mount Hood and in surrounding areas. Brooks said he respects and appreciates the relationship between the 304th RQS and the Crag Rats.

"They really know this side of the mountain like the back of their hand," Brooks said of the Crag Rats, a volunteer organization. "They're really good to work with and are really knowledgeable."

One such knowledgeable Crag Rat has been on both sides of the fence. Tim Mortenson, who retired from the 304th RQS in 2010, joined the Crag Rats this year. He said Mountain 101 training is not just good practice -- it's a necessity on Mount Hood and beyond.

"[Mountain training] is essential especially because of the current deployments in Afghanistan and all the high elevation missions the guys are expected to do over there," said Mortenson, who spent 17 years as a PJ with the 304th RQS.

Mortenson said the training laid the groundwork for the mountain missions he has done in the past and also enabled him to be a Crag Rat in the present. He said he's fortunate to remain a part of the rescue community even after retirement.

"It's great to come up here and have a part in bringing in new PJs," he said. "Even though I'm not doing the job anymore, I get to stay involved and keep the whole flow going. It's very rewarding."

The newest PJ in the unit, Senior Airman Michael Maginn, who has been operational with the unit for one month, said he has already learned so much from the more experienced PJs.

"It's awesome," Maginn said of the training. "These guys have a lot of experience; I'm just learning from the best. I'm trying to absorb as much as I can. It's a lot to take in."

He called the training a "good foundation" upon which he can build over the years, and he said he's optimistic about being on the team and learning more from his fellow pararescuemen and the greater rescue community.

Mortenson said this training improves the capabilities the 304th RQS PJs can use to aid the Crag Rats during search, rescue and recovery missions, which in turn helps strengthen the relationship between the two noble organizations.

"The Crag Rats and the 304th have always had a close working relationship," Mortenson said. "It has a very rich history that deserves to be nurtured from both sides. I think the future is going to be very great between the two organizations."

The 304th Rescue Squadron, Crag Rats and That Others May Live Foundation will be teaming up July 22-27 to sponsor an event inviting "Wounded Angels" to enjoy a week of fishing, hiking and other activities on Mount Hood. "Wounded Angels" are Air Force rescue personnel who suffered crippling or debilitating injuries while conducting rescue operations. To learn more about this event, visit the TOML website.

To learn more about the 920th Rescue Wing, visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.