One team: search and rescue has a total-force feel at Davis-Monthan - Cover Story

In almost total darkness, two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, their crews navigating with the aid of night-vision goggles, speed across the barren desert a scant 200 feet above the ground. A pilot is down in enemy territory and needs their help.

Hovering over the designated drop zone the aerial gunner and flight engineer on each aircraft use their 7.62mm "mini-guns" to provide pararescue jumpers cover as they rappel to the ground. Once on the desert floor, the PJs use all their training to avoid being seen or, worse yet, shot by enemy forces as they search for the downed pilot.

Once they locate the pilot, the PJs conduct a quick medical examination to find out if he can move unassisted or will need to be carried back to the awaiting aircraft. Luckily, he's OK, and the group hurries back to the awaiting helicopters and a quick trip to safety.

Though it was only an exercise, realistic scenarios like this are a regular part of a rigorous training regimen for members of the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. What made this particular exercise a little bit different was the fact that it provided the reservists with an opportunity to assist in training their active-duty counterparts in the 55th RQS. The which also flies HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters, joins the 79th RQS, a C-130 unit, and the 48th RQS, a unit of PJs, to make up the newest combat search and rescue assets at Davis-Monthan.

Col. Mike Shook, 305th RQS commander, said his unit has been assisting the 55th with local orientation flights, maintenance, PJ training and facilities setup since last fall. The 55th received its aircraft from the Reserve's 939th Rescue Wing at Portland International Airport, Ore., after its mission changed from combat search and rescue to air refueling.

"Flying mixed crews helped develop the good relationship we currently have today," Shook said. "There were mutual benefits to the training needs of both units. Helping them helped us at the same time."

The colonel said developing a good relationship with the 55th was a bittersweet experience for members of the 305th because standing up the unit meant a change of mission for the Reserve unit at Portland.

"It is tough in the CSAR community to see a sister unit go away, but we understand the long-term benefit and have stepped up to the challenge with a dedicated interest to help the 55th get started," said the 28-year helicopter pilot.

The long-term benefit Shook referred to is a decrease in work load. Combat search and rescue units fall into the category of being low-density, high-demand resources. That means there aren't that many of them around, and the demand for their use is great. As a result, these units stay extremely busy. Adding people and equipment to the active-duty pool will help spread the work load around and lessen everyone's responsibilities.

In addition, locating the 55th at Davis-Monthan with the 305th will improve the synergy between the units.

"Once aerospace expeditionary force scheduling details are worked out, you'll see cross-utilization of people and equipment," Shook said. "The end results will be seen in the entire CSAR mission when everyone is able to respond to missions and taskings with greater ease.

"Currently, the AEF CSAR mission with the Pave Hawk is being accomplished by the Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla., and active-duty units at Moody AFB, Ga., Nellis AFB, Nev., and overseas."

Ensuring the 305th's flying operation is able to meet its requirements is the job of Maj. Jeffrey "Skinny" Macrander, squadron operations officer. Macrander also worked scheduling and training issues with the 55th when the initial cadre of airmen reported for duty at Davis-Monthan.

The major said he sat down with Lt. Col. Michael T. Healy, 55th RQS squadron commander, and discussed the needs, expectations and challenges that would face both squadrons in the initial months alter the 55th's activation. He said those conversations went smoothly in part because he was stationed with Healy in Korea in 1989 and 1990.

"There were growing pains that we needed to work out, like using the same landing zones and air space, especially with the 55th having a larger flying operation than us and since both units need to train to stay proficient," Macrander said. "However, in the long term, there will be a lasting relationship where both squadrons will be able to help each other."

For example, when one squadron deploys its aircraft, aircrews that remain back in Arizona will be able to fly the other squadron's helicopters to stay qualified. Also, the stability of not turning over manning every couple of years in the Reserve unit will help the active duty when it comes to flying operations in the Tucson area or joint training opportunities with the A-10 Warthogs that are also assigned to Davis-Monthan.

"My number one concern is keeping people combat-mission ready," Macrander said. "When there are conflicts in training between the squadrons or one squadron needs training to meet its deployment requirements, there will be mutual respect between the squadrons to make those tough calls to keep everyone at Davis-Monthan combat ready."

Another group of people benefiting from the stand-up of the 55th RQS helicopter unit and the 48th RQS are the 16 Reserve PJs assigned to the 305th.

"There has been an increased number of training opportunities due to the increase in numbers of aircraft and personnel now assigned between the units," said Chief Master Sgt. Dale Miller, PJ manager. "This will only help with the search and rescue capabilities at Davis-Monthan by having the same goals, talking the same language and training to the same high standards. The bottom line is we can offer our customers better service.

"Working with the members of the 48th RQS has been especially beneficial. We train very closely together on all of our pararescue disciplines, and we will continue to assist our active-duty neighbors in any way possible," said the 26-year veteran.

Much of that working relationship goes back to Miller having a 20-year friendship with 48th RQS senior enlisted manager, Senior Master Sgt. Joel Lukens. Miller said Lukens' high standards and superior capabilities will be reflected in the unit.

"Like all PJs, there will be the challenge to be the best," Miller said. "This is one way that we can foster the camaraderie that has always been inherent within our career field. The ultimate challenge will be the ability to match up any of the pararescuemen on either team, on any mission, at any time. That is truly a great reflection on all of the members of the 305th RQS and proves that active-duty, National Guard and Reserve forces have truly integrated into one team."

RELATED ARTICLE: 920th welcomes new units, becomes a wing.

Coming on the heels of welcoming their new active-duty partners, Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue forces at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., became part of a new parent trait.

In April the 305th Rescue Squadron, together with the 304th RQS at Portland International Airport, Ore., officially became part of the 920th Rescue Group at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. With the addition of these two geographically separated units--and about 600 new people--the 920th went from being a group to a wing.

"The challenges resulting from this expansion were vast and varied," said Col. Tim Tarchick, 920tb RQW commander. "Among the changes to occur were the activation of a mission support group, operations group and maintenance group."

More than a third of the members of the unit were not able to attend the re-designation ceremony April 12 because they were deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. To make up for their absence, Tarchick decided to invite their spouses.

"We wanted every member of this unit to be a part of this day," he said. "The 920th is truly one family. What better way to demonstrate that?"

After the fighting in Iraq subsided, more than 100 deployed members of the wing returned home during the last week in April

"Our troops have sacrificed a lot, and they are returning to us and their families as heroes," Tarchick said. "Seventeen lives were saved in no small part due directly to their efforts. That's 17 families who can rest easier knowing their loved ones are still with them. It's a great feeling to know we have that kind of impact."

COPYRIGHT 2003 Air Force Reserves
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group