D-M demonstrates its combat rescue capabilities

Pararescuemen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., perform a combat search and rescue demonstration for members of the media, DM-50, military affairs committee and base populous here Feb. 8. Attendees were also invited to watch a pre-screening of the first episode of National Geographic’s “Inside Combat Rescue at the base theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

D-M demonstrates its combat rescue capabilities

Published Feb. 11, 2013
By Senior Airman Michael Washburn
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Davis-Monthan held a combat search and rescue demonstration for members of the media, DM-50, military affairs committee and base populous here Feb. 8.

The demonstration included pararescuemen parachuting out of a HC-130J, performing a mock security sweep through the A-10 sun shades on the flightline, and securing and extracting a simulated downed pilot by way of HH-60 pave hawk helicopters.

Following the demonstration, the attendees were invited to the D-M theater, where they were able to watch a pre-screening of the first episode of National Geographic's "Inside Combat Rescue." Many of those watching the first episode were members of the rescue community.

"I just want to say thank you," said Maj. Gen. Douglas Robb, Joint Staff Surgeon, Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. "You guys (the members of the rescue community) have courage, guts and you take risks that a lot of others wouldn't do. So thank you again for what you do each and every day."

"Inside Combat Rescue" is a Department of Defense and Air Force supported television documentary, which premiers on Feb. 18. It shares the experiences of Air Force pararescuemen and Pave Hawk crewmembers who were shadowed by a five-person National Geographic television crew for five weeks in Kandahar Airbase, Afghanistan.