Cutting up the C-130 Hercules

Staff Sgt. David Adams, a pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron, cuts into the side of a C-130 Hercules during the squadron's ROCO training exercise. Pararescuemen with the 306th RQS recived the rare opportunity to practice extraction techniques on a C-130. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson)

Jaws of Life

Staff Sgt. Ryan Gilbert, a pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron, utilizes the Jaws of Life to cut into a C-130 Hercules as Capt. Ricardo Montana, 306th RQS combat rescue officer, observes during the unit’s ROCO training exercise. Pararescuemen with the 306th RQS practiced extraction techniques on a C-130 inside the “bone yard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson)

The Jaw of Life

Staff Sgt. Ryan Gilbert, a pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron, utilizes the Jaws of Life to cut into a C-130 Hercules during the unit’s ROCO training exercise. Pararescuemen with the 306th RQS practiced extraction techniques on a C-130 inside the bone yard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson)

Prying open a C-130

Staff Sgt. Richard Dunn, a pararescueman with the 306th Rescue Squadron, preys open the side of a C-130 Hercules as a pararescueman with the California Air National Guard 129th Rescue Wing observes, during the squadron’s ROCO training exercise. Pararescuemen with the 306th RQS and the 129th RQW had the rare opportunity to practice extraction techniques on a C-130. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson)

Reserve PJs chop, slice C-130 to hone extraction skills

Published Sept. 23, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Luke Johnson
943rd Rescue Group Public Affairs

DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- A retired C-130 at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group found new purpose as a training aid for 306th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen who chopped, sliced and sawed their way through the relic to hone their life-saving skills.

The training was part of the squadron's confined space collapsed structure and execration (ROCO) training exercise in a tactical environment. Being able to use a C-130 was a rare opportunity for the pararescuemen, and they took full advantage of it to learn the quickest extraction methods out of the aircraft.

"Today, the two hours that we spent out here made these guys subject matter experts on extraction on a C-130," said Robert Craig chief tactical instructor at ROCO rescue and a former PJ.

The" boneyard" a resting home for military aircraft no longer in service, includes more than 4,400 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies including NASA.

The training scenario involved taking portable tools into a crash scenario. The PJ's then determined the best entry points into the aircraft.

Using an actual aircraft is a rare opportunity for the 306th RQS PJ's, and the experiences gained by this type of training will be invaluable in aircraft rescue missions.

Master Sgt. Maurice Bedard, 306th RQS pararescueman said PJs have routinely performed extraction trained on automobiles, but they learned that aircraft sheet metal, windows and hinges present new challenges. "This training was very important for both our seasoned guys and our new folks," said Bedard, a 15-year veteran PJ.

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