PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A Royal Auxiliary Air Force reservist joined the 920th Rescue Wing, here, for his two-week annual tour in Aug.
British officer Flt. Lt. Harry Spry-Leverton visit was arranged through the Department of Defense Military Reserve Exchange Program that promotes stronger relationships with our allies.
"The program is designed to exchange one service member for another service member" said Spry-Leverton. "It however is not a one for one trade between the units. My replacement came from another Air Force base."
Participants travel to host bases and perform training and deployment exercises in the local conditions to gain a better understanding how each ally functions.
"Being in America I have an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Air Force operates," said Spry-Leverton. "I will be able to take what I learned here and present the information back to my unit."
Participant's duties will vary based on the needs of the host base. Members may or may not perform duties they have been trained to do.
"While with the 920th Rescue Wing I've learned about the search and rescue mission and the role it plays in the military," said Spry-Leverton. "It is fascinating to know pararescuemen can go in dangerous areas and quickly perform their duties and save lives."
Spry-Leverton toured the 308th, 301st and the 39th Rescue Squadron where he was briefed on how each squadron's role were important to the 920th RQW unique search and rescue mission.
After the briefing Spry- Leverton experienced first-hand, the 920th RQW search and rescue mission when he participated in a night time training exercise as a simulated survivor of a down aircraft.
"It's was a privilege to fly in a HH-60G Pave Hawk and be a part of the PJ's exercise," said Spry-Leverton.
The experience has given both the 920th RQW and Spry-Leverton a new perspective of how each ally operates and note similarities that the U.S. and U.K. reserves share.
"It is interesting to learn that the Auxiliary Forces also serve one weekend a month and two weeks out of the year," said Maj. Steve Rotz, officer in charge assigned to the 920th Operation Support Squadron.
Both Rotz and Spry-Leverton had positive feedback on the exchange program and suggest other military members to apply and participate in the program.
"I was proud to share the search and rescue mission during this exchange," said Rotz. "I would gladly participate in the program again as a host or as an exchange to our allies."
For more information about the Reserve Exchange Program go to; http://ra.defense.gov/Programs/Readiness,Training,Mobilization/MilitaryReserveExchangeProgram.aspx