U.S. Air Force
Rescue Squadrons
That Others May Live. Pararescuemen, Combat Rescue Officers, and rescue helicopter crews who go behind enemy lines to recover downed aircrew and isolated personnel. The most dangerous job with the most noble purpose.
Korea to Afghanistan
1950 - Present
VIETNAM
NORTH VIETNAM CSAR
Jolly Green
HH-3E / HH-53
Sandy
A-1 Skyraider Escort
Hambleton
Bat 21 Rescue
3,883
SAVES IN VIETNAM
Vietnam CSAR was the most dangerous flying mission in the war. Jolly Green helicopters escorted by A-1 Skyraider Sandy aircraft flew into the most heavily defended airspace in the world to pull out downed pilots. The rescue of Lt Col Iceal Hambleton, callsign Bat 21, took 12 days, cost multiple aircraft, and became one of the most famous rescue operations in history. PJs and helicopter crews earned numerous Air Force Crosses. Over 3,883 saves were credited to Air Force rescue in Vietnam.
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GWOT
OIF / OEF
CSAR
Combat SAR Missions
PEDRO
Afghanistan Callsign
TIC
Rescue Under Fire
Saves
HUNDREDS RECOVERED
During OIF and OEF, rescue squadrons flew nightly missions under the callsign Pedro in Afghanistan. PJs provided trauma care under fire, treated casualties on scene, and loaded patients onto HH-60s for evacuation to Role 2 and Role 3 facilities. Rescue crews responded to troops-in-contact situations, recovering wounded soldiers from firefights. PJs earned Silver Stars and Bronze Stars with Valor across both theaters. Several gave their lives. The pipeline to become a PJ has roughly an 80% washout rate. Those who make it are the best combat medics in the world.
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PJ PIPELINE
TWO YEARS TO QUALIFY
2 Years
Training Pipeline
80%
Washout Rate
Scuba
Combat Diver
HALO
FREEFALL QUALIFIED
The Pararescue training pipeline is roughly two years long and washes out approximately 80% of candidates. It includes combat dive school, airborne school, military freefall, survival school, and the Pararescue Apprentice Course where candidates earn the maroon beret. PJs are trained as nationally registered paramedics with additional trauma surgery and field medicine skills. They are qualified combat divers, military freefall jumpers, and mountain rescue specialists. The result is the most versatile combat rescue operator in any branch of service.
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PJ
Pararescuemen
TOML
That Others May Live
HH-60W
Jolly Green II
Maroon
Beret