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Air Force Week: Men in Black showcase astronaut rescue techniques

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  What do Pave Hawks and pelicans have in common?

Nothing, but they both performed fly bys during the 2010 Cocoa Beach Air Force Week at the Cocoa Beach Pier, Oct. 27.

The aerial spectacle drew onlookers from near and far as they peered with amazement as four Air Force Reserve pararescuemen, or PJs, parachuted with fins on their feet like frogs into the Atlantic Ocean. The 920th HC-130P/N King extended-range-refueling aircraft served as their jump platform and showcased the larger of the two weapons systems operated by 920th Rescue Wing Airmen.

Next on the scene, among the pelicans, were two 920th HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, one-third the size of the king, but no less powerful when it comes to combat search and rescue which these Airmen train for daily.

Airmen piloting the choppers wasted no time filling in air space left empty by the 99-foot blue-heron colored King. The men in black wet suits who bear the nickname, PJs, wowed the surf-haven with rip-curl feats of their own - fast roping from the hovering helicopter and splashing into the water from the helicopter's open doors - which was all part of the show.

The Rescue Wing Airmen demonstrated their astronaut and ocean rescue techniques in the worst-case scenario of a space shuttle lift off, a mode 8, where astronauts have to bailout over the open ocean.

The men in black, or Air Force are guardian angel weapons systems, are charged as their saviors.

Under the hurricane-force wind of the rotors beating down on them, they showed their strength and resolve as they climbed back onto the helos, just to fast-rope back in to the sea.

Not only did the beach crowd get a taste salt-water spray, but within minutes, they also got a glimpse of the job of Rescue Reservists. - saving lives.

Rescue Wing Airmen will be starring in the Cocoa Beach Air Show, Oct. 30-31 at Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach, Fla.

With a list of training and expertise, as long as space shuttle contrail, it's a site worth seeing, and sharing.

PJs go through extensive training to maintain their many, varied, qualifications. Each is an expert SCUBA diver, mountaineer, marksman and parachutist. Not to mention their main job - rescue. On top of these skills, they must maintain emergency medical/paramedic qualifications throughout their careers.

The 920th RQW is an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit with two geographically separated units, one at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and the other at Portland International Airport, Ore. All three units have Reserve PJs assigned who not only serve as Citizen Airmen but also hold civilian jobs in their communities.