"Standing on the shoulders of giants:" Past, present rescue Airmen reunite

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Ore. --  Former and current members of the 304th Rescue Squadron reunited in Portland July 26-28 to reminisce, learn and enjoy the camaraderie of wingmen, friends and family.

The 304th RQS, which originally stood up in 1957, is a geographically separated unit of the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.--Air Force Reserve Command's only combat search-and-rescue wing. Previously, the squadron was part of the 939th Air Rescue Wing, which has since been deactivated.

The reunion included a social, banquet, tours, static aircraft and equipment displays, picnic, and most importantly, a time and place for past and present members of the 304th RQS to see familiar faces, meet new friends and share the squadron's great heritage.

"In the rescue family, being able to capture those experiences and show that long tradition of saving lives is pretty amazing," said Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th Rescue Wing commander, who was an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot with the 304th RQS from 2001 to 2002. "It's important to share the heritage, especially some of the folks who were around since 1957, hearing their stories."

Retired Master Sgt. Sam Barnett, a former jet engine mechanic and quality assurance technician with the 304th from 1970 to 1993, said he enjoys sharing the stories and heritage with his rescue family at reunions.

"A lot of us have been retired for twenty years, but we still come back to see old friends, old commanders, and see that the PJs (pararescuemen) and HH-60s are still flying," said Barnett, who initially enlisted in the military in 1956. "I miss the camaraderie with the people I got to know over the years. It was a great career."

Barnett's great career included responding to the major eruption at Mount St. Helens, Wash., in 1980. He said the squadron was responsible for saving 67 lives following the eruption, adding that helping people was the most fulfilling part of the mission for him.

Although there have been many changes during the last two decades since his retirement, Barnett said he enjoys meeting the new generation of rescue Airmen in the squadron, and he respects and admires what they do.

"We're all family," Barnett said. "I'm glad to see somebody else has carried on our tradition, especially in rescue."

One of the members carrying on the rescue tradition is Maj. Chris Bernard, a combat rescue officer with the 304th RQS. Bernard, a prior-enlisted pararescueman, has been with the squadron since he joined the Air Force in 1987. Bernard said having squadron reunions is important for him and his fellow Airmen because of the common heritage and bond shared by those in the rescue community--a relatively small community within the Air Force.

"There is already a special bond among military veterans, especially those who have served in combat," Bernard said. "I believe there is an additional bond of those who serve in rescue; rescue has its own special purpose and higher calling."

Bernard said the 304th RQS is a devoted team where Airmen of all specialties are deeply dedicated to rescue and come together to get the job done. He said the reunion was a great opportunity for those currently serving in the unit to learn the lessons from their predecessors and feel proud to be part of an elite squadron with a noble mission.

"In my opinion, it has always been and will always be the most amazing mission in the Air Force," Bernard said of rescue. "We have always been and will always be a tight-knit community who does what is necessary to complete mission. Anyone I know who has been a part of the 304th family holds such fond memories of being part of a team that saves lives."

Bernard said he is grateful for the former 304th RQS members who paved the way for him and his fellow rescue Airmen.

"As the quote by John of Salisbury states the sentiment of those who have come before us, 'we see things that are more distant not because our sight is superior ... but because they raise us up and by their great stature add to ours,'" Bernard said. "We are indeed 'standing on the shoulders of giants.'"