PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Rivers of blood oozing from pale, lifeless bodies, muted cries of excruciating pain, gunshots heard from unknown directions. These are every day sites and sounds to  a cadre of Airmen who have the challenging task of saving lives, no matter the time, location or circumstance. 

As part of the only combined rescue and medical squadron in the Air Force Reserve, they proudly earn the name as elite Pararescue Journeymen (PJ) of the 920th Rescue Wing here.

Their mission spans from administering life-saving skills to military and civilians in the U.S. and in the war zone. At times, they are called to assist the Coast Guard and they continually serve NASA astronauts with life-saving support prior to space shuttle launches.

"We are here to save lives," said Master Sgt. Chad Evans, PJ with the 920th RQW. "That is our primary mission."

Saving lives, anywhere - any time can be a grueling task - PJs must train for a wide-range of scenarios. In one ground training exercise held Thursday, there is a four-man team on alert in Afghanistan. Two carload of passengers are disabled when they are both struck by an improvised explosive device. Within minutes the PJs are on the scene taking charge of both the enemy and the injured.  The injured are treated and stabilized despite the hostile threat that looms in war zone shadows. 

This was part of a certification training that must be accomplished every 17 months to retain our skill levels, said Sergeant Evans.

It is not easy to qualify and earn one of the coveted PJ spots in the Air Force Reserve. One must be in top physical fitness condition, have good vision and most importantly, have the will to sustain over seven challenging schools. The schools range from parachuting and scuba diving to paramedic training. Only one percent has the will and strength to make it through to graduation.

"This is an exciting job with the most rewarding tasks in the military," said Sergeant Evans. "We put our lives on the line to save others because that is what we are trained and called to do."

Getting into the world's premier search and rescue unit, the 920th RQW is tough, and staying qualified is an ongoing challenge. The PJs train locally nearly everyday; jumping into the water that surrounds Patrick Air Force Base to perform helicopter rappels and hoists among many other training scenarios.  The mission takes them worldwide enduring austere conditions. 

Patrick Air Force Base is home to one squadron of PJs, but the wing has two sister units where PJs dwell, one in the desert and one in the mountains - Davis-Montham Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. and the other is in Portland International Airport, Ore.

Wherever the PJs are, atop mountains, in the desert or in the water, they are always trained and ready to face whatever new challenges come their way.