Reserve pararescuemen welcome new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A former rescue-helicopter pilot took command of the 920th Rescue Wing's pararescue squadron during a change-of-command ceremony held at the professional development center here today.

Lt. Col. Joel Kinnunen succeeded Lt. Col. Coy Speer, who is retiring after 20 years of military service to teach science at a high school in Arizona.

Colonel Kinnunen comes to Patrick from one of the wing's geographically-separated units at Portland, Ore., where he served as commander since 2005.

"I was honored to be considered for this position," said Colonel Kinnunen. "This unit has an outstanding reputation--not just in the Reserve but active duty as well."

Although the colonel spent most of his life living and working in Oregon, he couldn't refuse the chance to lead Reserve pararescue squadron here at Patrick.

"When the opportunity came, I jumped," he said. "It's an honor to have the responsibility to take care of these people."

Air Force pararescuemen, whose selfless service is embodied in their motto: "that others may live," perform a vast array of duties worldwide. 

They provide combat-search-and-rescue support for U.S. servicemembers who become isolated during combat (such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines), as well as search-and-rescue services for civilian mariners, fisherman and divers who encounter trouble far from shore.

They also provide humanitarian relief during natural disasters (the 920th saved 1,043 lives during Hurricane Katrina), and emergency medical support for every NASA shuttle and rocket launch.