Rescue Reservists help prepare Uruguayan armed forces

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  Ten members of the Uruguayan armed forces visited the 920th Rescue Wing here Aug 29 - Sept 2, 2010 to get hands rescue orientation and training.

The Uruguayan team was made up of pilots, a loadmaster and jumpers which are the equivalent to U.S. Air Force pararescuemen (PJs).

They came to the 920th by invitation from the U.S. Air Force through the American Embassy in Uruguay as part of an ongoing exchange program with U.S. Southern Command, which fosters close ties between the two nations.

Lt. Col. Saint Lehtinen, U.S. Air Force section chief in the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay, served as host, escort, and translator for the group.

"Our mission in Uruguay is to help grow the nation's capabilities, security and stability," said Colonel Lehtinen. "We also want to promote U.S. interests, provide humanitarian assistance and counter drug trafficking."

Uruguay's only land border is with Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to the north. To the west lies the Uruguay River, to the southwest lies the estuary of Río de la Plata, with Argentina only a short commute across the banks of either of these bodies of water, while to the southeast lies the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean.

During the visit, the HC-130P/N squadron flew the Uruguayan PJs aboard their Hercules extended-range combat-search-and-rescue aircraft for joint jump training over the Banana River, adjacent to Patrick. Due to the dense fluvial network that covers the country, these rescue specialist will continue to work with the Florida PJs and Rescue crews to hone their skills and exchange vital information in water rescue techniques.

The 920th Rescue Reservists will travel to Uruguay next year to pick up the training where it was left of here.