Steve and Judy Gentz cutting a ribbon honoring their son Captain Joel Gentz, who was killed in action while serving as a pararescue officer in Afghanistan in 2010, at a dedication ceremony for a new trailhead to the Border to Border Trail at Timber Town Park in Chelsea, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. | | |
If their son, Captain Joel Gentz (KIA) was alive to see it, he would have been humbled that a new trailhead at a Chelsea park was dedicated in his honor, his parents Judy and Steve Gentz said.
Gentz lost his life in 2010 at the age of 25 when he and four other U.S. Air Force soldiers were killed in Afghanistan in a helicopter crash after being shot by the Taliban. He and his team were assisting a wounded British soldier.
He was a Combat Rescue Officer with the 58th Rescue Squadron, which conducts rescue missions, and about six weeks into his first deployment. He was promoted to Captain from Lieutenant after his death.
He was made the namesake of a Border to Border trailhead at Timber Town Park in Chelsea during a September 30, 2025, ceremony. Even with all of his accomplishments, he would still make it about the team over himself.
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Alaska Air National Guard members assigned to the 176th Wing medically evacuated an individual January 12, 2026, in Southcentral Alaska.
In response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened a medevac mission for a person experiencing a cardiac emergency.
Because of weather conditions, the absence of daylight and the lack of an illuminated airstrip near the distressed person, local civilian air ambulance services were unable to conduct the mission.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons.
Using night-vision goggles, a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels aboard flew to Seldovia, about 130 miles southwest of Anchorage.
The Pave Hawk crew arrived on the scene and loaded the patient for transport. Guardian Angels rendered medical aid to keep the patient stable en route.
The patient was transported and released to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
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Long before he became the first Alaska National Guard combat rescue officer (CRO) in history to pin on a general star, Brig. Gen. Matthew Komatsu was a kid in the Midwest, mesmerized by Top Gun and dreaming of fighter jets.
“I was eight or nine when I saw the greatest recruiting propaganda in the nation’s history,” he said with a laugh. “I wanted to be a fighter pilot like Maverick.”
The dream carried him all the way to the U.S. Air Force Academy, but once there, reality arrived quickly. He struggled to fit in, chafing at the rigid environment.
“I realized pretty early I was a nonconformist, and it’s not a place that encourages that,” he said. “Those first four years, you’re becoming an adult and figuring things out. I barely hung on.”
After his first year, he flew gliders for a summer program and got airsick, and he began to suspect he wasn’t destined for the cockpit after all.
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The U.S. Air Force’s contribution to the Tier One JSOC mission is the elite 24th Special Tactics Squadron, which provides Delta and SEAL Team Six with Combat Control Technicians and Pararescue jumpers. While not nearly as well known as Delta or SEAL Team Six, the 24th STS has participated in almost every action the other components of JSOC have undertaken. That’s because the 24th STS does not participate in independent missions. Instead, its specially trained airmen are attached to Delta and SEAL units to control the aircraft that are supporting the mission.
Consequently, Air Force commandos in the 24th STS are put through a training process that is grueling even by the exceptional standards of Special Operations Forces. Along with being proficient at their own mission of controlling airpower, commandos in the 24th STS must be capable of fighting on land alongside their Delta counterparts, as well as swimming with the SEALs. It’s little wonder then that some special operations soldiers claim that STS airmen are as close to the stereotypical special operations commando as it gets in real life
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The Special Warfare Training Wing marked a historic milestone as it launched the first-ever Zulu Course, a groundbreaking common skills training program uniting Air Force Special Warfare career fields under one standardized curriculum.
The Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) Zulu Course is a new, 16-week foundational training program for all special warfare trainees (Combat Control, Pararescue, TACP, Special Reconnaissance) focusing on core skills like small unit tactics, communications, and mission planning, consolidating training at JBSA-Chapman to build interoperability before specialized career field training. The "Zulu" name comes from the phonetic alphabet for "Z," used in AFSPECWAR's Air Force Specialty Codes
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Key Aspects of the Zulu Course:
- Duration: 16 weeks.
- Location: Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex (JBSA-Chapman).
- Purpose: To provide common, foundational skills across all AFSPECWAR career fields.
- Skills Taught:
- Small unit tactics
- Communications
- Mission planning
- Shoot, move, communicate principles
- Casualty care
- Advanced insertion/extraction
Benefits:
- Creates a unified, common skill set for all trainees.
- Enhances interoperability between career fields.
- Optimizes the training pipeline for future success.
Significance:
- It brings together skills previously taught in multiple locations into one cohesive program, strengthening the foundation for Air Force Special Warfare operators.
- The course aligns standards, improving readiness for global operations.
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With the launch of the Zulu Course, the Special Warfare Training Wing continues to assess, select, and train, now with an even stronger and more unified foundation.
RELATED LINK:
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ALASKA NATIONAL GUARD
- Injured Snowmachiner Rescued
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Alaska Air National Guard members assigned to the 176th Wing rescued an injured snowmachiner January 21, 2026, in Southcentral Alaska.
The injured snowmachiner used a cellular phone to contact the Alaska State Troopers, who then requested support from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, which opened a rescue mission.
The Alaska Air National Guard accepted the mission and dispatched Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson-based rescue assets from the 176th Wing’s Rescue Squadrons.
A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels aboard flew to the Lost Lake trail about 70 miles south of Anchorage.
The Pave Hawk crew arrived on scene and loaded the patient for transport. Guardian Angels rendered medical aid en route.
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The Italian Air Force successfully concluded its flagship special operations exercise, "Artiglio 2025," late in November. This activity demonstrated advanced integration of Special Forces (SOF) with 4th and 5th Generation air assets to operationalize the NATO concept of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Counter-Anti-Access / Area-Denial (C-A2AD) threats, two main priorities from Allied Air Command.
The exercise transformed Piacenza airbase, in Italy into an austere advanced operating node, simulating an airfield in a contested territory. The core focus was the practical implementation of the ACE concept, a foundational principle for increasing resilience and survivability in a multi-domain environment.
The mission replicated the Global Access Operations (GAO) model, with the primary objective being to enable Counter-A2AD effects by covertly securing a "landing strip of opportunity."
A Special Operations Task Unit (SOTU) infiltrated using a HH-101A helicopter via FRIES (Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System), performing Special Reconnaissance (SR) and Direct Action (DA). This paved the way for the critical air support, which included Eurofighter aircraft providing Close Air Support (CAS) and a PA-200 Tornado executing SR - GAAI (Ground Assisted Air Interdiction) to reduce ground-based threats. Crucially, the ground forces facilitated the controlled insertion of an F-35A Lightning II, vital for "sanitizing" the contested area.
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TACP STANDARDIZE TRAINING
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Leaders from the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing, the 3d Air Support Operations Group and the 18th Air Support Operations Group convened from December 9-10, 2025, to attend the Semi-Annual Tactical Air Control Party Spartan Senate at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
The Spartan Senate centered on Air Force Special Warfare Evaluation Standardization, Air Force Force Generation Cycle (AFFORGEN) deployment schedules and new Human Performance Optimization (HPO) training implementation in an effort to prepare for the pacing challenge and evolving global threats.
"It’s all about sharpening the spear,” said Col. David M. Anderson, 18th ASOG commander. “TACP leadership gathered this week to align on the future of precision strike and command and control at the tactical edge. Our mission remains clear: evolve the force to remain the decisive link between air power and ground maneuver and serve as key enablers of the long-range kill chain.”
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Airmen of the New York Air National Guard's 103rd Rescue Squadron, a part of the 106th Rescue Wing, recently partnered with the New York Police Department's Emergency Services Unit for two days of simulated hostage rescue training at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.
The 103rd Rescue Squadron is made up of pararescue Airmen, also known as PJs, and combat rescue officers. These specialists are trained to rescue personnel from challenging situations, often behind enemy lines, and provide critical emergency medical care.
It takes three years of training in skills ranging from high-altitude parachute jumping to scuba diving and survival training to qualify in pararescue.
Master Sgt. Corey Ketelsen, a 103rd Rescue Squadron team chief, said the joint exercises held October, 23-24, 2026, provided Airmen with a valuable opportunity to refine their expertise in a new environment.
"The entire point of the exercise was to give my guys a new location to practice their skills," Ketelsen said.
On October 23, 2026, about 10 Airmen practiced rappelling from a helicopter onto a three-story building to simulate the rescue of wounded counter-snipers from a rooftop during a terrorist attack. Counter-snipers are teams trained to locate and neutralize enemy snipers.
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A Ukrainian sailor was rescued by a pararescueman from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing and transported to a local hospital Tuesday evening after a medical emergency hundreds of miles offshore.
The patient, a 40 year-old sailor aboard the Bahamian cargo ship Aetos, had been ill for several days, prompting the crew to request assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard District 11.
The Aetos was more than 500 nautical miles west from the coast of San Francisco, beyond the immediate response range of Coast Guard assets.
The 129th Rescue Wing coordinated with Coast Guard District 11, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the 563rd Rescue Group from Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, to monitor the sailor’s condition and develop a rescue plan.
“When everybody comes together, you drop what you’re doing because you understand the reality of the situation,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Nance, the mission’s search and rescue duty officer. “Somebody is in the worst moments of their life that drives us to do this.”
The 129th Rescue Wing is transitioning from HH-60G Pave Hawk to the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, an upgrade that enhances avionics and provides an improved platform for pararescuemen to deliver in-flight medical care.
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“THEY’RE BACK, BABY!” Wolfe’s post added, a nod to the loud calls to reinstate the simple spice brown and olive drab patches that indicate an Airman’s career field or responsibilities via a few letters or numbers - “SF” for Security Forces, “MUNS” for Munitions, or “PA” for Public Affairs, for example.
Also called Career Field Identifiers, the patches were banned 11 months ago when then-Chief of Staff Gen David W. Allvin declared that the 130 authorized patches encouraged Airmen to prioritize their individual identity over the Air Force team and cancelled their use. The move provoked an angry response from Airmen, and new senior leaders paid heed. Now Wolfe and new CSAF Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach are reversing that and other changes.
In a January 9, 2026, memo announcing a updates to appearance standards, Wilsbach reauthorized duty patches, effective immediately.
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After graduating from Buckhannon High School in 1974, David joined the Air Force and was selected for the elite combat pararescue service charged with the search, extraction, and medical treatment of downed pilots and crew. David loved the demanding physical aspects of his pararescue service, but was especially drawn to his medical corpsman duties; however, his career plans were cut short by a back injury sustained in a helicopter accident while on duty.
David was discharged from the Air Force as a sergeant in 1979, then attended the University of West Virginia for two years before transferring to the nursing program at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1981, allowing him to return to his family in Buckhannon. David thrived in the new challenges of his nursing courses and the social life of a college student. During the summers, he earned money for college in various jobs - white water rafting guide, trail guide for the northeast region for the Boy Scouts, and nature director at the local Boy Scout camp. In March of 1983, he was introduced by a friend of his sister to a fellow nursing student at Wesleyan.
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TSgt SCOTT DUFFMAN
- Killed in Action
- MH-47 / Chinook / Downed during a SAR / Afghanistan / 02/18/2007
MSgt WILLIAM L. McDaniel
- Killed in Action
- MH-47 / Chinook / Crashed while supporting GWOT / Philippine / 02/22/2002
SSgt JUAN M. RIDOUT
- Killed in Action
- MH-47 / Chinook / Crashed while supporting GWOT / Philippine / 02/22/2002
SSgt SCOTT A. ANDERSON
- Killed in Line of Duty
- HC-130 / King / Crashed Crashed into a terrain / Borja Spain / 02/28/1984
SSgt PAUL J. REINDL
- Killed in Line of Duty
- HC-130 / King / Crashed in the Pacific Ocean / near Taiwan / 02/02/02/1969
| This information was compiled by SMSgt (Ret.) Bob LaPointe: https://www.pjhistory.org | |
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“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. How can you think of saying to your friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eyes; then you will see well enough to deal with the spec in your friend’s eye" Matthew 7:1-5.
Have you ever been a proud dog owner? Dogs respond and reflects our behavior like a weathervane. Virtuous Christian men and woman want to grow in God’s righteousness and walk the ‘King’s Road’. They want to improve, to be a better version of their present moral and spiritual state of being. No one wants to remain a ‘kindergarten Christian.’ We want to pursue and graduate to higher levels of faith and sacrificial service. One avenue we all need to pursue is to overcome what holds us back—the seven deadly sins.
| Meet our Chaplain - Rev Dr. Thomas Azar (Lt Col, AFSOC Wing Chaplain, Retired) has been serving the Lord and people around the world since 1973 as a pastor, chaplain and missionary. A trained counselor and seminar leader for over 5 decades, he has helped individuals overseas and at home, in peace and in war. | |
CELEBRATING A HERO
- April 10-11, 2026
- Piqua, Ohio
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It's going on 60 years since Operation Abilene and the Battle of Xã Cẩm Mỹ in Vietnam took place. That's when Bill Pitsenbarger saved 60+ lives during the two day battle on April 11-12, 1966. During the battle, Bill refused to leave the battlefield and return to his aircraft. Instead he waived it off to stayed on the ground, treated the wounded and defend their position. Under fire Bill maneuvered to and from the frontline to retrieve the wounded, treat their injuries, hide and camouflage them in case they were overrun. Bill continued risking his life to save the lives of others until he succumb to injuries from gunshot wounds.
As stated, this event is to commemorate Bill Pitsenbarger's 60th anniversary of that historic day in April 1966, when he gave his life, so 'That Others May Live'. That's not just a motto, others did live that day, approximately 60 lives were saved because of Bill's heroic actions and sacrifice.
The Air & Space Forces Association is planning an event to commemorate Bill Pitsenbarger's 60th anniversary of his historic actions on that day. The event location is Piqua, Ohio, Bill's hometown, just north Daytona, OH, off I-75. Contact me at Jim@Morris.net for more and updated information.
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Sponsor, Supporting Organizations & Groups:
- Air & Space Forces Association
- Pararescue Foundation
- Pararescue Brotherhood
- Air Rescue Association
- Miami Memorial Park
- Piqua VFW
- Miami Valley Veterans Museum (MSgt (Ret.) Amy Cost)
- Barry Wackler; PJ Brotherhood Ambassador
- Piqua High School
| NOTE: We need assistance and involvement from the Commanders, CROs and Chiefs who read this for what I'm calling, OPERATION PIQUA. We're looking for a flyover and PJs to jump into Pitsenbarger Sports Complex for this event. For logistic purposes, Wright-Patterson AFB is just south of Piqua. Any ideas? Any input? Please advise with your thoughts. And since John's passing, has someone filled his shoes as our PJ bagpiper? Please advise. I can be contacted through email at Jim@Morris.net. Thank you. | |
PARARESCUE REUNION
- August 19-22, 2026
- Helen, Georgia
| 2025 Pararescue Reunion Photo | |
By popular demand, the PJ Reunion is going to become an annual event. The next reunion date is August 19-22, 2026, in Helen, GA. The host resort is the Helendorf River Inn, Suites & Conference Center in Helen, GA., so mark your calendar.
Attending the reunion is free, that's right, free. Your only expense is your lodging and meals. You can start making hotel reservations today. Call 706.878.2271 and mention you are attending the Pararescue Reunion when you make your reservation. If you prefer to camp, there are camping sites in the area. If you want more specific and information, contact Larry Palmer at lepalmer46@yahoo.com or David Cogswell at dctkc60@att.net for more information.
This is the most relaxing experience a group of PJs can have. No schedules, no micro managed events and no hurry up and wait. And yes, we will have a hospitality room. At this event, you do what you want, when you want and with who you want. And it's one of the most least expensive family vacations you can take, so bring your family and enjoy the cool Georgia mountains. More information to follow.
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42 MILE SCAR SWIM & FUNDRAISER
- April 22-26, 2026
- Arizona Lakes
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The SCAR Swim…in sum, takes place in four lakes, over four days and approximately 42 miles of open water swimming in a beautiful but sometimes harsh Arizona desert environment. The lakes include - Saguaro Lake 9.5 miles, Canyon Lake 9.1 miles, Apache Lake 17 miles, and Roosevelt Lake 6.4 miles.
Mission Overview - Five Pararescue Instructors assigned to the 68th Rescue Squadron / Guardian Angel Formal Training Unit in Tucson, AZ are taking on the swim challenge and leading this dedicated fundraising initiative. SCAR is one of the longest marathon swims and organized stage swims in the world. This event is for experienced swimmers and crew wanting to push their mental and physical boundaries. They will be completing in honor of their fallen teammates and their families.
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ARA SYMPOSIUM
- March 4-7, 2027
- San Antonio, Texas
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The Air Rescue Association plans and sponsors an annual Air Rescue Symposium that includes reunion activities, informative briefings, heroic rescue mission recaps, and an awards gala where our award winners are recognized. The 2026 ARA Symposium dates are March 4-7, 2027. Our host hotel is the Holiday Inn River Walk, San Antonito, TX. More to follow so stay turned for more information and updates.
The Air Rescue Association (ARA) has a multi-faceted mission that’s been in existence since 1976. The first is to honor past and present USAF Rescue professionals and capture their history for future generations. The ARA also sponsors multiple USAF-Level awards including the Knight Award, the Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year, and the Rescue Squadron of the Year.
Another important mission for the ARA includes building its member base and actively recruiting any Airman or family member who serves/served in any capacity supporting USAF Rescue operations. ARA partners with the That Others May Live Foundation in helping with fundraising for its mission of scholarships for Rescue families, warfighter appreciation support, and immediate tragedy assistance.
Contact me at Jim@Morris.net about membership information.
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MOVIE - ALONE AT DAWN
- Date: TBD
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Theater Near You
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Marine veteran and actor Adam Driver will portray Air Force combat controller John Chapman in a movie based on the battle in Afghanistan that earned him the Medal of Honor. Chapman died as he fought alone for hours on a mountain top in Afghanistan early in that war, drawing fire on himself as a vulnerable helicopter approached carrying a team of Army Rangers.
Longtime director Ron Howard is set to direct the film, which is reportedly to be called “Alone at Dawn.” Howard has directed dozens of movies, including Apollo 13 and The Da Vinci Code, Deadline reported
The movie will be based on the book of the same name about Chapman, written by Air Force veteran Dan Schilling and Lori Chapman Longfritz. Lori Longfritz is Chapman’s sister and Dan Schilling was a 30-year combat controller and special tactics officer, the Air Force’s job title for officers who train with and lead enlisted combat controllers. Rumors have long circulated about movie deals around the book and Chapman, but no cast and crew have previously been confirmed, until now.
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PARARESCUE FOUNDATION
- Resiliency & Other Events
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PJF Backcountry Colorado Ski Retreat - Colorado Springs, CO
- 10th Mountain Division Huts
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Celebrating a Hero - William H. Pitsenbarger - Ohio
- Pitsenbarger Park, Piqua, OH
- Miami Memorial Park, Covington, OH
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42 Mile SCAR Swim Series for PJF - Arizona
- Saguaro, Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt Lakes, AZ
- Wednesday, Apr 22, 2026, 4:30 AM to Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 9:00 PM
- Our Fundraising Goals - all proceeds will go directly to the Pararescue Foundation
- Raise $68,000+
- Elevate awareness of the Pararescue Foundation’s mission.
- Expand the Foundation's impact across our career field and Brotherhood.
- PJF RALLYUP PAGE
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MORE INFORMATION
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PJF Wellness retreat for USAF Guardian Angel Leaders - Geyserville, CA
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PJ Spouses Appreciation Day - Valdosta, GA
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PJF Wilderness Retreat - Presidential Mountain Range - North Conway, NH
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PJF “Got Your Six Horsemanship” Retreat - Adler, MT
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Peter Kraines Memorial Golf Tournament - Sanford, NC
- Carolina Trace Country Club
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Pararescue Foundation (PJF)
| NOTE: For transparency sake, we’ve just completed and filed its 2024 IRS 990. And, its publish the 2024 Impact Report. Both documents can be found at the bottom of PJF website page. | | |
In the escalating skies over North Vietnam, a simple rescue became a brutal lesson in sacrifice.
In the unforgiving chaos of 1965, the U.S. Air Force search and rescue teams had a "That Others May Live" mindset. But for the crew of the CH-3 rescue helicopter known as Jolly 85, that promise led them on a one-way trip into one of the most perilous zones of the war.
Eleven Men Down meticulously reconstructs the true, harrowing story of their fateful mission. Pilot by pilot, moment by moment, this book takes you inside the horrifying experience when a standard search and rescue operation turned into a desperate, hours and days-long battle against overwhelming odds.
This is more than a military history; it is a profound tribute to the bravery of the SAR crews who risked everything, and a poignant look at the immense cost of their commitment. Discover the truth behind Jolly 85 - the heroes, the mission, and the tragedy that time has nearly forgotten.
| | ATTENTION GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM CRO’s & PJ’S: | | |
The present Pararescue historian is myself, SMSgt (Ret.) Bob LaPointe. I have been collecting material since my retirement in 1995. I managed to document our history from the 1940’s through 2000 with significant success. We have the largest Vietnam War SAR collection outside of the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Hundreds of mission reports, unit histories, and a VN SAR database of over 3000 SARs identifying who the PJs were, who they saved, and several other details on each of these missions. However, from the year 2000 until today, the collection is spotty with significant gaps about the war you bravely fought.
Most of the GWOT data came from news articles. What is needed, is a CRO or PJ or a team of a few teammates, to step up and become a PJA historian(s) for this era of Combat Rescue Officer and Pararescue History. I am 75 now and have committed to continue until at least 2027. I am willing to explain how I accomplished what we have in the Pararescue Digital Historical Archive (PJADHA).
What we are looking for is someone intensely motivated to see that their era of CRO/PJ history documented, saved in the PJADHA, and published on our website. All you need is a computer to begin your collection, time to work on the project, and some understanding of who did what during the GWOT. If you also have some knowledge of website management that would be very useful. If you are interested, email me, Bob at rlapointe@gci.net.
| | U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, conduct an over water rescue of a Filipino mariner who suffered a stroke-like symptoms onboard a cargo vessel, 700nm off the California coast, September 19, 2025. The unit executed the deep-water mission, providing rescue capability and strengthening U.S. - Philippine partnership through action. | | |
106th RQW TAMAR VESSEL RESCUE
| | When the M/V Tamar exploded 1,500 miles from shore, the Coast Guard couldn’t reach her. With lives on the line and time running out, seven U.S. Air Force Pararescue Jumpers parachuted into the Atlantic to save the crew. This is the true story of one of the most daring open-ocean rescues in military history. | | |
We are collecting photos of all PJs & CROs for an online album and for historical purposes. Email me your photos, if possible, with names of those pictured. Even if you cross-trained or switched services, send those photos too. Team, mission, individual, etc., photos are welcome. I'll cleanup and optimize the photos as needed. I would like names of those in the photos so I can include their names in the file name. The photos are maintained in the public domain and are downloadable to all.
I will add photos as I receive them, but keep in mind, there may be a week to a month process time. Send as many as you want. Email them to me with "PJ Photo" in the subject line. My email address is at the bottom of this newsletter. Thank you.
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PARARESCUE - Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone | |
Pararescuemen and Combat Rescue Officers come from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all races and cultures, all 50 states and from some allied countries. PJs are United States Air Force Special Warfare Airmen who conduct personnel recovery and combat search and rescue operations missions for the U.S. military and its allies behind enemy lines, in hostel and contested areas around the world and in civilian communities.
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As highly trained special operators, PJs & CROs generally work in small teams or attached to SEAL teams, Army Ranger units and Army Special Forces A teams. They also supported NASA missions, and have recovered astronauts after reentry, and supported astronaut rescue and recovery from Space Shuttles emergency reentries and open water ditching.
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AIR FORCE SPECIAL WARFARE
| | Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) comprises highly trained, ground combat forces specializing in applying airpower in challenging environments. These Airmen are organized into Pararescue (PJ), Combat Control (CCT), Special Reconnaissance (SR), and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) career fields. They integrate air, space, and cyber power with special operations and conventional forces to provide global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery capabilities. | | |
Mission:
- AFSPECWAR's core mission is to enable the application of airpower in austere and contested environments.
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Career Fields:
- Pararescue (PJ): Experts in combat search and rescue, providing medical expertise and recovery capabilities.
- Combat Control (CCT): Experts in air traffic control and terminal attack control, facilitating the movement of forces and equipment.
- Special Reconnaissance (SR): Conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations, gathering intelligence and assessing battle damage.
- Tactical Air Control Party (TACP): Integrate air and ground operations, guiding air strikes and coordinating fire support.
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Training:
- AFSPECWAR personnel undergo rigorous physical and mental training, including specialized skills like diving, parachuting, and survival training.
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Integration:
- AFSPECWAR works closely with both conventional and special operations forces, often operating in the most demanding and challenging environments.
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Evolving Role:
- AFSPECWAR is continuously evolving to meet the demands of modern warfare, including integrating cyber and information operations.
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Selection Process:
- AFSPECWAR utilizes a rigorous assessment and selection process to identify individuals with the necessary physical and mental attributes.
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BOB HOPE VILLAGE
- Not Just for Widows Anymore
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Bob Hope Village, a.k.a., Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) is a 501c3 nonprofit retirement community for widows of Airman and retired married enlisted Airmen, retired single veteran. and exceptions to written policy possible.
Military families understand the life of service. You dress sharp, you report on time, and you stay ready to deploy on a moment’s notice - all for the country you love and the people that you care about. When retirement comes, you and your family have earned the chance to pass the torch, kick back and enjoy the lifestyle of retirement along the beautiful Florida coast. As a not-for-profit retirement community, Air Force Enlisted Village offers a proud and patriotic retirement lifestyle for veterans and surviving spouses.
Nestled along the beautiful Emerald Coast of northwest Florida in Shalimar, it is an active, friendly, fun-filled retirement community, giving you a worry-free lifestyle in a fantastic location within earshot of Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. From independent living unit to assisted living and memory support, it give military families the easy-breezy retirement you’ve earned.
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Victory Village is becoming a reality. It will be situated across from the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Florida. It is a 501c3 nonprofit veteran senior living community with resources and services tailored to meet the financial, physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs of its residents. This blended community will be comprised of wounded warriors and their caregivers, the surviving spouses of retired enlisted Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Guardians, and retired enlisted couples.
To best care for our nation’s heroes and defenders - those who have sacrificed nearly everything, Victory Village will bridge the gap between medical and wellness needs. It’s our duty to ensure these aging service members receive complete support with a specialized continuum of care that will include the following services and amenities:
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- Multiple friendly communities and neighborhoods
- A multidenominational chapel that welcomes all faiths
- A community center with engaging events and activities
- An exercise center with a pool and fitness equipment
- Green spaces, walking paths and communal areas
- Innovative health and wellness services and therapies
- Concierge retail services and more
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The Pararescue Brotherhood is a group of individuals without a hierarchy nor an agenda. All Pararescue Airmen and Combat Rescue Officers are members by default. All AFSPECWAR personnel are welcome and technically, are also members by default. After all, we are all Brothers. Brothers with different color headgear and different shaped flashes working together to achieve a goal.
We don't charge dues. Attending our annual reunions are free and very enjoyable. Our reunions are held in Helen, Georgia. It is open to your entire family and your friends. Bring you dogs if you want. Lodging is on you. The resort that host our reunions is inexpensive, and you have other options to include camping, We offer a free newsletter with AFSPECWAR related news,
We are about the Brotherhood, not individualism.
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This is the official newsletter of the Pararescue Brotherhood, and also includes news and information about AFSPECWAR personnel. This newsletter is self funded, developed and published for the Brotherhood by a retired PJ. The PJ Newsletter was developed to replace and fill the void left by the PJ AIG when its intent changed. This Newsletter is a nonpartisan, apolitical, non-bias, non self-serving and non self-promoting newsletter.
This newsletter is available free of charge to anyone - no membership, dues, etc., required. Our subscribers are mostly PJs and a lot of CCT. We also have many TACP, Spec Recon, sister service special operators, support personal, and maybe some future AFSPECWAR recruits, some LEGs, etc. Please, no posers.
If you have something you'd like to share with us in the Newsletter, pass something along, share a special interest story, connect with long-lost military Brothers, promote a military event, etc., email me, the editor, at Jim@Morris.net with 'PJ Newsletter' in the subject line. All is subject to review.
Are you are a writer, artist, cartoonist, etc.? We will include your content subject to review. If you are a published author, send us the information for review and we will help promote it.
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Subscribe to the Pararescue Newsletter. It's free to anyone; you don't need to be a PJ to receive it. It's a monthly electronic publication, with Special Editions when warranted and Obituaries as needed.
Click on the barcode or scan it with your smartphone to subscribe.
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Disclaimer: The visual appearance or written content in this newsletter does not imply an endorsement.
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