PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Some people show appreciation by posting a feel-good photo on Facebook. Others may write a letter, while others may make a phone call.
For Clint and Julie Story, owner/operators of Kempfer Sod Company in Grant, Florida, they showed their appreciation with feet. Large, green feet painted on the roof of their store to be exact.
Seven years ago, the Story’s painted two sets of 6-ft-high green feet on top of their company’s roof as a tribute to Air Force pararescuemen (PJs). A reserve squadron of these elite special operators are based out of the 920th Rescue Wing, here.
“The helicopters and airplanes fly over our property all the time,” said Julie. “We wanted to say, ‘hey’ and that we appreciate them.”
Clint, a Florida native, went to high school with a PJ who taught them the inspiration and the knowledge to paint the feet.
Over the years the feet faded. Until recently, when Story’s nephew used his high school class project to repaint the feet.
“We love the PJs and the military,” said Julie. “We thought this would be something cool for the guys and those who know about the green feet.”
PJs and the combat search and rescue community worldwide use the green feet as their symbol—one that has a long, illustrious Air Force history.
According to this history, the green feet symbol came from Vietnam, when the HH-3E helicopter, also known as the Jolly Green Giant, would land in rice patties and grass fields, leaving huge impressions that looked like giant green footprints.
For the Story’s, this was a ‘no-brainer’ way to show support to their local military.
The Storys are very active in the military community. They support the Pararescue Foundation for wounded warriors, volunteer for ‘That Others May Live’ foundation and are on the 2016 Pararescue Reunion committee, according to retired pararescue chief master Sgt. Douglas Kestranek.
“They are just really good people,” Kestranek said. “Very pro-military.”
Although the green feet logo was invented by PJs, they have come to represent the entire combat search and rescue community.
The PJs are the only members of the military trained to conduct full-spectrum personnel recovery. They can do everything from parachute to find downed fighter pilots, to providing advanced trauma care to those wounded in combat.
The 920th RQW's primary mission is combat search and rescue (CSAR), which includes rescuing servicemembers trapped and/or wounded behind enemy lines. Additionally, the wing performs civil search and rescue and humanitarian relief.
Since being activated in 1956, the 920th RQW has saved roughly 4,000 lives, including more than 850 combat rescues. It is the only CSAR unit in the Air Force Reserve.