Helicopter mission changes as rescue tempo slows

JACKSON, Miss. -- Maintenance crews work on an HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter after it broke before launching. Aircrews from active and Reserve units are here working to rescue people trapped by the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina's destruction along the U.S. southern coast. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Efrain Gonzalez)

Hoist rescue

NEW ORLEANS -- Tech. Sgt. Lem Torres surveys houses Sept. 2 looking for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Sergeant Torres is a pararescueman in the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

Rescue operations

NEW ORLEANS -- With a combined force of 26 helicopters and about 400 people, pararescue teams composed of reservists and active duty Airmen are flying 8- to 10-hour missions over New Orleans' flooded city to save lives. Rescuing more than 2,000 people in five days, the pararescue teams locate and retrieve the residents, drop them off at a collection point, and then circle around again looking for more. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington)

Rescue operations

NEW ORLEANS -- Trained to rescue downed pilots and military troops in combat behind enemy lines, the Air Force's rescue teams are a very small community of highly elite professionals. Flying missions into the flooded city of New Orleans, the rescue forces are working around the clock and have saved more than 2,000 people in five days. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington)