An exercise in the cold prepares PJs for combat

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920 Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Alaska, known for its cold winters, tall mountains and unforgiving terrain, became the perfect spot for Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen (PJs) from the 920th Rescue Wing here, to practice their winter combat search and rescue training, January 9-18.

The training was two-fold: the PJs honed their cold-weather skills and they trained side-by-side with their Reserve counterparts, the 212th Rescue Squadron based in Anchorage.

"The unique type of training we provide is limitless," said Lt. Col. Thomas Stephens, Commander of the 212th Rescue Squadron. "Most of our team enjoys the back country during their time off. We all ice climb, ski and hunt [...] Practices that hone our rescue skills for the cold and combat."

The first day of their week-long training started with a late afternoon snowshoe out into a valley to practice navigating to a simulated "crash site" to recover victims while under "enemy" fire. Then, as darkness fell, an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter flew in with a team of several PJs who fast-roped down to "rescue" a downed pilot behind "enemy lines." Fast roping is a technique used for descending a thick rope from a helicopter in places where the helicopter itself is unable or unwilling to touchdown.

This type of training is important, according to Tech. Sgt. Weston Hufnagel, PJ from the 920th RQW, because it gets the team, "[...] operating in a different environment unlike the flat beaches and expansive ocean, like where they usually train for water rescues. Exercising in frigid climates gets them familiar with using their cold-weather tactics."

The Reserve Airmen are part of the Guardian Angel Weapons System which is formed by the make up of the PJ and two other closely related Air Force specialties: one being, the survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, and the other being, combat rescue officers. These men provide the capability to execute each of the personnel recovery tasks with only a fraction of the manpower, saving time, money and lives, according to specialtactics.com.

Working under the cover of darkness is essential in a war-zone, so the next several nights consisted of extracting "victims" from wreckages using snow and ice tools they have to carry in from their staging area. Working with the extra clothing, moving in the snow and carrying the extra gear was training in itself.

"This reinforced how difficult it is to move in the snow and on mountainous terrain with all of our equipment," said Capt. Chad Senior, Reserve Combat Rescue Officer, 920th RQW. "We hope to identify training shortfalls with time to improve on those skills at home station prior to deployment."
All of this training is focused on saving lives, especially those in combat situations. However, these PJs may be called upon to perform life-saving maneuvers on a mountain covered in snow - so they must be able to work with the equipment they travel with.

Learning how to properly place anchors in the snow so they can pull a victim up and down a mountain was another day of training for the Florida PJs with their Alaska counterparts who also refresh their skills by teaching them.

"The PJs and CROs from the 212th [...] are skilled at applying technical rescue skills in the alpine setting. From getting to the survivor via snowshoeing, ice climbing or skiing, to building the rope system to raise or lower the patient on the near vertical slope - these guys are good at it because they do it day in and day out," said Lt. Col. Joel Kinnunen, commander of the pararescue squadron at the 920th RQW.

Part of the GAWS is the exchanging of information and skills. All PJs are equipped with the knowledge to pull off rescues in any type of environment, but not all of these men are stationed in places that allow for it. Traveling to other geographical areas, allows the PJs to compare skills and learn new ones.

"The Patrick team is great at the skills out their back door - just like us. They have taught us better ways to pack the rigged alternative method zodiac [inflatable boat], dive techniques and more. Their operating skills are in the hot and humid," said Lt. Col. Stephens.

Training in any environment poses its own unique challenges and this was no different, but with the help and support of the Alaska Team, the training went flawlessly and everyone got what they needed from the experience.

"We tightened up as a team," said Tech. Sgt. Hufnagel.

These men will be deployed anywhere from two to four months as part of the GAWS.

GAWS is intended to meet the need for recovery of personnel (in combat or otherwise) to include all U.S. military members, DOD contractors and civilians serving overseas and civilians in need in whatever type of environment the situation calls for. Its mission calls for expertise in all five stages of the personnel recovery life cycle -- report, locate, support, recover and reintegrate isolated persons.