Pararescue Airmen battle on the beach

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., --  Not all time spent on the beach is relaxing.

Nine pararescue Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing competed in the annual Battle of the Beach physical competition that tested their strength and stamina in the sand of Florida's spring break capital, Daytona Beach, April 14.

"It's a good morale and team builder," said Master Sgt. Joseph Traska, 920th Reserve pararescueman competitor and Volusia County Beach patrol officer. 

Traska was among sixty competitors who hit the beach running. The initial ½ mile ocean swim that was supposed start the event was cancelled due to tide conditions, therefore a half-mile run was the first event followed by nine other events:

1. 1/2 mile ocean swim with fins and side stroke, no wetsuits allowed (Cancelled)
2. return to the beach and complete 100 pushups and 100 situps
3. 50 yard low crawl relay
4. 100 pushups and 100 situps
5. 25 yard bear crawl-finish together
6. 100 pushups and 100 situps
7. 50 yard sand bag carry relay (25 pound bag)
8. 100 pushups and 100 situps
9. 50 yard buddy carry (25 yards each)
10. 100 pushups and 100 situps

Battle for the Beach was established by Mr. Rob Wallace, a veteran triathlete and personal trainer Called Tigershark Endurance Events it was founded to promote health and fitness through triathlons, running, cycling, swimming and other beach-related events.

Entering competitions like this enhances training for pararescue Airmen. The pararescue career field requires Airmen to be proficient in several high-risk skill sets to include SCUBA, sky diving and mountain climbing to name a few, therefore physical conditioning is a constant requirement.

Since it takes two years to train an Airmen to become a pararescueman in the Air Force Reserve and the fail rate is 90 percent, recruiting for athletic men to join them is part of the challenge.

A group of supporting Airmen from the 920th joined forces with the competitors hoping to reel some potential recruits during the day with pararescue special rescue equipment on display.

For more information on joining the 920th RQW in pararescue or any other field, contact recruiting at (321) 494-3003.

For more information follow the 920th RQW on Facebook and Twitter.