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Rescue Wing embodies 45-year-old wingman concept during drill training

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Leslie Forshaw
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  The Wingman Concept is a long held tradition in the Air Force Reserve. It promotes Airmen to look out for one another in all aspects of Air Force life, including their personal life.

Reservists at the 920th Rescue Wing here came together March 4 during their drill training weekend for Commander's Call then Wingman Day, an informal gathering among leaders and peers to discuss the Wingman concept and its value.

"In our day to day business we forget about the four needs categories, or pillars: social spiritual, mental and physical," said Maj. Matthew Simpson, 920th RQW chaplain who ran the day's program. "It's important to make sure each of those pillars are strong because when even one is weak, it puts more of a load on the other pillars. Therefore, weakens the comprehensive wingman structure."

"As wingman, we need to recognize any cracks in the pillars; within ourselves or others and be willing, not to just point them out, but to do something about it," he explains.

The main point behind the concept is that anyone can be a wingman - the point clearly proven exactly 45 years ago during the Vietnam War. The Wingman Concept posters, stickers and magnets show two F-4 Phantom jets - one damaged jet pushing the other damaged jet forward.

Famously known as the "Pardo Push," it became the Wingman concept model: lookout out for your fellow Airman no matter the situation.

Considered "[...]an incredible feat of airmanship," by Air Force Magazine, it tells the story of two F-4 Phantom jets flying and fighting against North Vietnamese MiGs. Both aircraft were damaged in the firefights, one more severely than the other. The pilot of the lesser damaged F-4, Capt. Bob Pardo, made the immediate decision to use the damaged F-4s tail hook to push the plane. Basically, the tail hook was against the windscreen of Pardo's jet where he pushed the plane 88 miles into friendly airspace where the pilots of both aircraft ejected and were picked up by rescue helicopters.

"If one of us gets in trouble, everyone else gets together to help," said Pardo during a 1996 interview in Air Force Magazine. This concept, now an Air Force-wide project, encompasses the Wingman philosophy.

This concept resonates through the Airmen here as Col. Jeffrey Macrander, 920th RQW commander, stood in front of the Wing giving the Wingman Project brief.

"This concept is not just about preventing suicide, or making sure people don't drive drunk; it's about watching out for each other," said Macrander. "It's about knowing each other well enough to see when someone is off balance or if something is wrong."

The 920th RQW is the Air Force Reserve's premiere Combat Search and Rescue Wing. The wing's primary wartime job is combat search and rescue, which involves locating and rescuing service members isolated or injured in combat - such as pilots shot down behind enemy lines or soldiers injured on the battlefield.

The unit's other peacetime missions include providing local search-and-rescue support for civilians who are lost at sea or in distress. The wing also provides worldwide humanitarian relief, supporting rescue efforts in the aftermath of disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes

For more information on the 920th RQW, please visit our website. Also, find and 'like' the 920th RQW on facebook.