PJs rarely get mentioned.

Excellent photos Michael. Request to use the photos in a new video Ranger Studios is putting together, As you know, full copy right and ownership will be given to you. Also a completed copy of the Video.
Let me know one way or the other.

Cal

Every ISAF country's newspapers or news sites should have a Yon dispatch section, you tell it like it is, great photos and respect for the troops.

Michael,
Thank you for this dispatch, it was beautifully photographed. Let the Pedros know that what they do is so essential for the physicians who are receiving the ill and the injured. Good field work gives the physicians and the patients the valuable time needed for a good outcome.

When you stop and think about it, these guys are doing stuff that would get normal ground combat guys medals, all in a days work for them.

Back when I was stationed at Homestead AFB, FL, we were watching some PJ's loading gear and such, they probably figured it was hero worship, hell, we just wanted to swipe the scuba gear, they had great toys, we were all sport divers.

Thanks again for your amazing work. I really appreciate being privileged enough to following your courageous efforts.
Thanks to all the men and ladies out there fighting for our freedom back home. I'm on my way out this fall boys and girls, I hope to stand by your side some day!

Michael,

Awesome reporting - fantastic photos - have ben following you since Iraq - keep up the great job you are doing to tell the real stories.

Thanks

Chris the Kiwi

Excellent though the PJs are, don't forget that Brit MERTs are manned by at least one DR and one Paramedic every time they are deployed. More often than not; if they survive the initial 5 mins after the 'contact' they increase their chances of survival overall. That said, given the current preferred form of attack (multiple IED) chances grow slimmer. Great to see you supporting the guys Michael but keep it in context; MERT almost always lands; and takes the most badly injured.

Thanks though to our USA friends.

Fantastic post Mr. Yon! Thanks. I have posted a link at my blog juggernuts.com

Cris Yarborough
americanjarheadATgmailDOTcom
www.americanjarhead.com

Greetings to a Courageous Journalist! I am grateful for your reporting. this one was special and the best way to say 'thank you' is by giving monetary support.... so I will do that. God be with you and those you are with in this war. Please let them know that I am praying faithfully for you all.

Michael,
Thank you for the dispatch,
I am grateful for your reporting. Also true is we will never see this coverage anywhere else, God bless our Troops.

Many thanks for the dispatch and stunning photos of some of the brave Men in our societies doing what some of us wish we could. God bless and protect you, the Pedro's and the MERTs, and all of the Staff that keep them safe and active.

HOOYAH Pedros!

Thank you, Michael and all the people that we can see in the photos. It takes a different type of bravery that doesn't get enough thanks to help those far away from this country in hopes that conflict won't reach any further. There is a part of me that would love to be there to lend a hand if it is for nothing else but to hold someone's hand.

For that magnificient work you're doing out there for your readers and the cause of truth. I'm still too young to work and don't have a credit card so I can't donate, but I assure You You are in my prayers. Your staff is really wonderful - I've read it for two months, both the current and archives, and so have several of my buddies. You really improved my understanding of modern warfare, not to mention how deep you moved me. I hope You will continue despitre all the obstacles - maybe You could embbed with Polish troops for a while? There's a small FOB called Giro in Ghazni province, when they have our Polish cuisine served daily.

Greetings from Silesia, Poland

Encourage all of these people to run for Congress when they finish their tours. We need men and women like this runnning our country rather than the weak willies we've got now.

MICHAEL YON:

YOU DO WHAT JOURNALIST ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. YOU DO IT FOR DONATIONS ONLY! GOD BLESS YOU.
RIGHT NOW, The State Controlled Media is reporting almost nothing--so as not to embarass our Incompetent leader

MICHAEL: As usual, fantastic photos embedded with an attention grabbing story of another element of the troops doing their jobs outside the wire. Keep up the award-winning calibre work, and watch your backside.

I would love to see you do an opinion piece on how the ISAF forces attract such amazingly capable human beings (and a few canines) to do this dangerous work. When you consider that they are risking their very lives, getting substantially less than civilian pay for comparable work, and have to put up with the increasingly stupid/dangerou s ROEs as they go about their jobs . . . how does the military recruit and keep these people? As your photos and stories so clearly show, these folks are some the absolutely best and brightest that we have to offer. They will have my enduring admiration and respect forever.

Off to the "Donate" widget to send in my monthly bribe to keep you willing to do what it is you do. Come on fellow readers . . . Michael's monetary support is crucial . . . so meet me over at the widget !

PJs were the Best in Nam. saved my tired old ass. Thanks. Jolley Green.

amazing how all work together to help on Soldier or more down. What a gift they have. Thank you for telling their story and more.

I noticed one of the PJ's was wearing a similar Jolly Green patch of the ParaRescue unit that is stationed @ Patrick AFB, FL. That base was my first assignment in the Air Force with the 2nd Combat Communications Grp. We used to stare in amazement as these guys would run up and down the the beach in summer with full combat packs and combat boots. We thought we where bad ass;-). When I was assigned to the Phillipines, once again there were the PJ's running with full packs on in the brutal heat, this time around the parade field about eight times, which measures out at about two miles.
Anyone thinks they are a bad-ass, join the Air Force and sign up for PJ school. If one manages to get in, one will be surprised at how fast the troops DOR out of training. More so than the SEALS or the RANGERS!!

Just to remind everyone, one of the numerous Air force programs killed in April by SecDef Gates was the CSAR-X, which would have provided replacement helicopters for the worn out HH-60Gs (the ones you see above in Michael's dispatch). The all-knowing, all-wise SecDef is confident that anyone can do that job and feels there is no need for a dedicated organization or specialized aircraft to do these (all weather) lifesaving missions.

Great job from all of armed forces men and women! Hooah!

Thank you so much for sharing. It's so profound that I don't know what to say. Thank you seems trite.
I teach high school students and share some with them. I'm sure most of them don't realize the intensity. (Nor do I)
You have our support, love, appreciation, and empathy.
Take good care.

Mike as always you rock. You cover things that no one else seems to care about. I love the Punisher symbol one of the door gunners had on his chest

Deuce Four Historian.

THANK YOU FOR THIS STORY! I am a retired Air Force rescue pilot and was honored to fly with PJs for over 20 years. The Combat Rescue team is truly an amazing national asset. FYI, the "Pedro" call sign came from the early days of rescue in Viet Nam, when SAR crews were flying HH-43 Helicopters.

"These things we do, that others may live."

Another great article. Those PJ's and the aircrew that shuttle them around have my respect. That's a tough job in an inhospitable area and they excell at it.

With all the bias and politics in the news, you and your honest and fair reporting are what is needed. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Guys! PJs Rock. My fodest memories are being trained by PJs at PJOC @ Kirtland AFB. Some seriously highspeed airmen.

1. Just a small note: Gates is not an 'enemy of CSAR. The helicopter program was apparently not going where he felt it needed to go. The PJs are still being trained because aside from the humane aspect of it all, a downed pilot is a huge investment at risk. The issue is the helicopter, not the PJs.

2. Army MEDEVAC helicopters are required to be marked and unarmed per the Geneva convention, and regardless of what the enemy does, signatories to the GC are required to abide by its strictures. Also, MEDEVAC helicopters rarely fly into a hot spot without some kind of fire support, either from the ground or the air. The helicopters are not armed and the crews are not trained the way PJs are because they do not have the same mission. As was said above, PJs do combat search and rescue.

PS: GREAT photos, great article. I envy your skill and eye!

Wonderful stuff, Michael. Now we know what a hero our grandson is! He mans a gun at the window. The photos are outstandinding and very informative.

JT37

It's a shame there aren't more books written about these guys, as I for one would love to find out more. I hope you manage to stay with this particular group as long as possible.

Congratulations on what you're doing and Good Luck.

And thank you and good luck to all those in the forces from the UK, US and everywhere else.

I actually have the pleasure of knowing most of the men in these pictures. My husband is also a PJ and works with most of them. I do believe they do not get the recognition they deserve. They are an amazing group of men and I appreciate and support everything they do for us. Thank you so much for what you do, you have no idea how much you mean to us! Michael Yon, thank you for taking the time to show America how important our PJ's are to our country.

Simply an amazingly stunning, and moving report Mr Yon. Thank you! These guys are Champions within the collective group of Heros, that is our military!

Great story Michael. Great Job PJ"s and may god be with you and all of our men and women in the military. We Americans I included are extremely proud to have you defending and protecting our fine country,

God speed to you all and your families and thank you!

Even though I cannot support the war, I can, and always will, support and admire true courage and honor, attributes obviously shared by the people you've shown. A very dear friend of mine forwarded this to me as one of her sons flew with you on these missions (she has two who both recently came home safe and sound). Thank you for an honest portrayal of what's going on over there.

PJ's are truly amazing. I'm so glad you were able to go out with them and report back to us. My cousin is an Army Blackhawk medivac pilot and is on her way to AFG now (could already be there, but she's probably in Kuwait still). Perhaps she'll take their place at Robinson. I guess we'll have to wait to find out, but judging from your story, I'd say she'd gonna be one busy pilot, unfortunately.

Michael
Another great story Had the honor of working with the PJ's few days after the attack in NY Out Standing people
Mike

Wow! My son is training to be FE on the Pavehawk. This gave me quite an introduction into what he will be doing. I couldn't be prouder.

were in the heck was this crap in the story,

These guys have been at this a long time.
Many downed flyers are here today because teh Jolly Greens came into Laos, Cambodia and other ugle places to haul our asses out.
Thanks guys.
I'll never forget you.

Great report and really nice pictures! But I am wandering, I cannot see if passengers on the chopper are somehow tied to the helicopter? Do you have some belt so you cannot fall out or you just have to hold on on those tight manouvers?

It will be great honour to work with these life savers. Thank you very much to show us.
I hope these wars will end as soon as possible and all these heros will return to their loved ones.
Michael Yon, you are really lucky and breave. All the commanders who are brave enough to let us see the real life are great heros too.

I have several friends whose husbands are PJs. Thanks for sharing these compelling photos and a little bit of their daily bravery.

Damn great story! These guys are awesome! All the PJ's kick butt! Hardcore!! Say an extra prayer for them as they go about doing their job.
Thanks for another great dispatch Michael!
Stay golden!

I dont like war but those images are great ! i really felt like im there with you reading through this article. Great photos great story !

Thanks,Michael. great photojournalism . I was Special Forces(Viet Nam era) and I'm so proud of all who serve today.They are the best our country has to offer.
Airborne! All the Way!
Scott Randle

Admiration and respect for these guys. Had learned a lot form them
Blessings

Wow Todd B...have an inferiority complex much? You sound like a proud Medic. You should be, but if you actually read this blog, you'd find that you're the only one ripping anyone. Michael Yon, and the Pedros for that matter, have nothing but admiration and respect for everything that Army Medevac does. There's just no way we can match the shear volume of medevac's that need to be done. That's why there's probably at least 40 or more Army birds compared to our nine or so.

However, we have our roll and the fact of the matter is that we have different capabilities that allow us to go into hotter areas with a lower ORM than will allow your bro's. That's not an opinion. That's why they're not at the Base this was featured at. The average ORM is Higher for Army due to aircraft capabilty and specialized training. The Army has so many aircrew, they must train differently. A lot of my pilots are former Army guys. Ask them, they'll tell you it's just very different. I distinctly remember a mission where Marines hit an IED approx 6 miles from an FOB with Dustoff's (sixty miles from where we were), but we were launched because it was near zero zero vis in a sand storm and we have the capabilities to get there. Another time was when we launched to recover an Army 60 crew that rolled during BO training...oh wait you said that hadn't happened. Well, I guess when all of your info comes from CNN...

And we're not weasling in on the medevac business. We train constantly for Personnel Recovery (PR) of downed aircrew OR casualties that require exfil while troops are in contact. Weapons employment, countermeasures , ECAS, etc. PR is our term for medevac, we just don't call it that in the ISAF world. If we weren't needed to fulfill a specialized roll, we wouldn't be there.

That's the difference between you and I. I have nothing but respect for MY Army counterparts. In fact, another reason I know you didn't thoroughly read this is that it mentions a couple of OH-58 bad asses that came into a hot LZ and picked up a few of my bubbas after their aircraft sustained so much battle damage they had to PL. The ONLY Army bashing may have been that the DART tried cutting off the blades while the bird was in a really, really, really large puddle of fuel. Bad idea...pooof. Up in flames baby.

Now! About this "Army Medics are better than PJ's" when it comes to quality of medical care. When it comes to capability and competence in the medical field...you both provide the same care. Are you a freakin moron. That's like saying an Army pilot flies an H-60 differently than an AF pilot. Same thing stupid. I've flown with Army Medics in past deployments and have been thoroughly impressed. And you can bet there's no PJ that thinks he can provide superior medical care than you (well there probably is, but he wouldn't be arrogant enough to say it)...Todd. PJ's just go through additional combatant training that would make a billygoat puke.

So Todd...As long as the end result is our guys making it back to see Mama and the kids, you should get over yourself and realize we all have a part in this. I'm sure your fellow Medics are more concerned with their patients than your score.

All this "these guys are better than those guys" stuff is BS. No-one downrange has anything other than respect for the guys in other specialties. They are all in it, they all have different jobs, they bust their asses and do them well. You won't see a lot of ego flexing, most are supremely self confident and don't need to pull down thier pants to compare the various sizes of their dingers.

People only need to make those comparisons if they themselves are insecure.

Thanks for sharing our unsung stories, which surpass the media hipe. We should never forget as long as there are operational assets across the pond (friend or foe), there will always be Air Force CSAR flying the skies of liberty and hope. In addition, please remember the females such as myself (Flight Engineer), pilots, aerial gunners, and maintainers who have served under the blankets of their male counterparts, only to contribute to the saving of lives in silence. "These Things We Do, That Ours May Live."

PJ class 71-4... it's a GOOD day to read about A1C Pitsenbarger; isn't it?

I am a 33-year retired Chief and spent 27 of those years in Spec Ops and CSAR on Jollys and Hawks. Every day I thanked G-d that we have PJs. CSAR is a TEAM effort and these guys hang out at the very pointy end. After deployments in 3 wars too numerous to count, I never saw any PJ falter; in fact there were times we had to hold them back. They even worked on me a couple of times over the years so I'm here to tell ya....they know their stuff.

Regarding Gates and the cancellation of CSAR-X; I only hope we can recover from his mental imbalances before it is too late.

Cheeers,
HeadHawg

Outstanding photos and running commentary. The kind of rescue and medical coverage our forces can count on directly demonstrates the worth their country places on theirs lives.

Red Crosses on helicopters? You think that doesn't make sense? Come on, for the army that is lightweight. The notion that even after 8 years the Army wouldn't get the memo, change doctrine, call it CASEVAC and arm the snot out of their UH-60L Blackhawks, that this is somehow unusual, well heck, you haven't been around the army then.

The HH-60L is a different story and a harder nut to crack. This is in fact a dedicated air ambulance with no other tactical role and so the Geneva Conventions are harder to get around. But one might ask as well why the HH-60L was not outfitted with refueling gear and weather radar. I have flown extended hard IFR missions in the Lima and Lima crews launch in conditions as bad as you can imagine, but it is not as capable as the MH-60 or the USAF's HH for range unless it flies with ESSS and then weight and loading become an issue. This is just SNAFU and that is how they do business. Cheers!

I give the PJs all credit due and I would remind the parochial who comment here that we are all on the same team. While I might criticize USAF leadership for mucking with things like the C-27J and thus depriving the Army of a badly needed asset to replace the C-23, I think it crazy to criticize USAF units who are as much prisoners of ill-informed and politically driven policies as anyone else in the other services.

Finally, and I never thought that I would say this, but I think that it may well be time to start streamlining aviation medical assets and consider combining them into a single composite force. Right now US policy is CASEVAC in the NAVY and USAF and MEDEVAC in the Army. The USAF has CCAT teams while the Army cannot seem to conceptualize an equivalent to the civilian critical care flight nurse. In short it is disjointed and the entire system needs serious reworking without the pandering that ends up creating sow's ears out of silk purses once inside the Beltway.

Kudos to all medics be they PJs, 68W, 18Ds, Coasties or Corpsmen. To the dying soldier on the ground, branch doesn't matter, competency does and we are fortunate to have a lot of that in the US military.

Scott, such impartiality on your part is touching, really. As for your ferreting ability, not so much. Yes, it was published during the Bush admin. It was also scuttled, dumped, deep-sixed, trashed, and discredited as soon as it came to the attention OF the Bush administration.

Michael you never cease to amaze me at your relentless efforts to give our men and women, and those of our allies their due. Without you their efforts would go largely unnoticed.

My little church in Gardiner, Washington has adopted the ETAC, 116th ASOS Washington Air National Guard unit. The late Scott "Mac" McDaniel was an FAC specialist and was a Church member of ours and he passed away 2007. We send packages ever couple of months to the 30 or so unit members in Afghanistan. They are always in our prayers. Of course our Pastor reminds us weekly to do so as he is a former USAF Special Op's Vietnam era vet. God Bless you Michael and be sure to pass on our thanks and prayers to all those you come in contact with, they are NOT forgotten.

Michael: Thanks for the great pictures and commentary about the Air Force Pararescue team. It's an important job that many people don't know about. Your pictures and storytelling really did them justice.
Paul F. Bove
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

Great job that you do - and all of them. Amazing. . .

Amazing, humble, brave servants. Never forget their service and sacrifices.

Many thanks to these brave Americans.

Michael,

Great pics and great story. The photos are absolutely fantastic! Keep up the great work.

Scott
Major, USAF (Ret)

Great report, Mike. I enjoy all of your great reporting. It's wonderful to know that there are those out there who let the rest of us know what is truly going on.
Barb

Having recently seen the National Geographic documentary called " Rescue Warriors" I am in awe not only of the risks that Pararescuemen take every day in the course of their duties, but the extreme training these fine men endure to attain their level of proficiency; truly humbling. Thanks guys for your sacrafice and thanks Mike for displaying some of it here.

My son is a deployed Ranger and sent me the below e-mail last week thought I would share:

"I don’t have any reason to believe that you have been watching the news, if you have then you can be the first of all my friends. But if you have then you know that early this month there have been several significant events that have gone down. We seem to be smack in the middle of it all. Which can be nice at times if things go according to plan. Other times it has made for some incredibly somber moments. Either late last month or early this one we lost 2 men from another company as a mass of our guys went into wipe out a huge enemy strong hold. The operation was meticulously planned and I can vouch to the fact that the leadership was among our battalions best but as soon as the assault force hit the ground the whole thing went to shit and the guys found themselves in a fire fight that lasted a better part of a day. There were helos dispatched in order to pull out the wounded that night. The helicopter landed right in the middle of a hot LZ taking fire and stayed on the deck several minutes waiting for the casualties to get on the bird. Minutes that seemed like hours to anyone tracking the fight. I could have sworn that something catastrophic was going to happen to the bird at any moment but the pilots pulled off the exfil and got the crew out of there unharmed. A miracle they didn’t get shot down, if you as k me it was comparable to trying to land a helicopter in the middle of an NFL game without attracting to much attention to itself, that’s how out of place it seemed. To me valor was redefined, it was amazing to witness such bravery. "

Michael, as you pointed out Rangers have tremendous respect for these brave men.

I was recently at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame for a Vietnam-era PJ's induction ceremony. It was the first time I got to meet many of his friends and fellow PJ's from way back. They were an outstanding group of individuals. With the technology advances and the benefit of training from instructors with actual experience, I can only imagine how special this new generation of PJ's must be.

Having been to Georgia to see the men return from their tour in AFG and listen to their stories I must say they are truely an amazing group of people. High energy, smart, and humble. Any father would be proud.

I am so proud of our troops. I hope the Lord protects them and they can protect our country and the President will help them. Keep up the good worki.

Excellent report, and nice work, Pedros!

More heros in action...I'm so glad to read about somethign postive like this.

Im so sick of this *&^%& war, if people could have a moment's peace some douche would light a fire somewhere to get another started. That said - please come home safe, prayers are with you and our people over there, just to let you know, everything our people are fighting for over there, freedom and all that, is being destroyed back home, the locals are being taught that former military are white al-Qaeda and yall cant buy firearms [miac report] check into it, we need you here, things are getting bad.

Mr. Ace, just so you know, the very same guy that is evaluating the need for CSAR (you might know him as the Secretary of Defense), is the very same guy that ordered the plus-up of USAF H-60's and crews in Afghanistan. Weird. Not because the Army can't handle it, but due to the increased Operational Risk Management in the Helmand and our different capabilities. There are many, many more Army medevacs in Afghanistan than we have, but not in the "Green Zone". Different capabilities, different training...not better or worse, just different. I'm not an Army basher. Quite the contrary. Hundreds of interactions and joint ops with Army Spec Ops and Medevac crews over the years have been an honor for me. Never heard any of 'em whine like you though. I guess they're the ones that actually got in the big game. Keep your chin up big guy...you and Todd B will get a chance.

The USAF H-60's have been there since the beginning of OEF and OIF to merely handle the fewer high risk missions that are tasked. The Army handles most of the medevacs, but not the few...USA higher-ups hamstring you with an ORM that's too high. It's not because the Dustoff bubba's aren't brave enough. They rock!

Read above "RE: The real medevac in Afghanistan". Man, you're sensitive. I'm thankful as hell for the Army Dustoff guys. Now buck up, wipe the tears from your eyes, and let's make sure the troops make it home to see mama.

Army DUSTOFF the true medevac in the Army.. We are not bashing the AF, this reporter just is not "telling it like it is" He is putting out lies and stretching facts to make the AF sound like "Batman and Robin" and Army Medevac is like Ren and Stimpy... when that is so not the case. Thats whats the problems with all the Army guys and the problems they have with this aritical and this Iddiot that wrote it. He puts all these facts out as "FACTS" when they are opions and swears by them as facts. And all the masses out there that reads them thinks they are facts and praises the AF and makes a bad image for the army. It makes the army sound like the are 2nd to the Airforce in this mission.. when in fact the army are second to NONE!!! Thats why we take it personally. Thats why we are offended. We have no problem with the Airforce they just have been doing Medevac for what a couple years, when we having been doing it for DECADES!!! They are here now to "HELP" because army medevac is being stretched to its limits on multiple deployments. They do things a little bit differently then we do it, and have a different mantality on how they do things. But BOTH going in to HOT LZs, and BOTH picks up patients of all types of injuries and BOTH brings them back out again! The only difference is that they come in with GUNS a Blazin and US ARMY GUYS do it with just our FAITH and HOPES for the best, are Tactical flying ablitility and are heart to get the guy out of there and to a hospital ASAP. So that guy should have flown with both and then wrote his story so he could have gotten his facts strait... but its to late now, because the army pilots here in afghanistan have read this aritcal and none of them will let him on their aircraft! I know I wouldn't!!!

Great article and pictures.
I think there is a reason for the use of the name "Pedro" for their mission.
The name "Pedro" comes from the call sign for the HH-43F Kaman Huskie helicopters used for fire rescue helicopters used in the 1960's at fighter bases in the States and Vietnam. They were stationed on the bases to be able to respond quickly to a crash where fire trucks could not reach. AIC William Pitsenbarger, from Piqua, Ohio, was a PJ on a Pedro when he was lowered into the middle of an Army fire fight. His actions made him the most junior Air Force Medal of Honor recipient.
I just discovered that they are doing a movie about Pitsenbarger. Bruce Willis is in the movie (not as Pitsenbarger.) Check out http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0783640/

Michael , man that is just a great report . I hope our President reads it!!!. The PJ's and Army Dustoff crews are just the best hands down. And the UH-60 is the machine that makes it possbile ... thanks to all the crews who keep them flying ! Thanks to all our Troops over there ! Gob bless them all , and thanks Mike .

As an unapologetic peacenik and anti-government radical, I have to say these guys and their operation are mighty damn impressive. Too bad they serve the State. Also, how difficult it must be to integrate back into the managed society back at home where everything is morally ambiguous.

"Dustoff Pilot"? I doubt it, and you do Army Medevac a disservice by speaking as though you represent them. I was in Army Medevac prior to being a part of the Air Force unit covered here. You are the one without the proper facts, and it's laughable that you would consider Mr. Yon, who is a former Green Beret, banned from Army aircraft because of your own ignorance.

WOW...WOW...was just research the support our troops and found your site...WOW! My heart is full, my eyes are tearing...My brain is in process mode...I am in awe of you guys...I am so thankful for each and everyone...FREE DOM, comes to mind every time I see someone in uniform...I salute and am so proud to live in the country of FREEDOM...Thank you, thank you...prayers are with you...

Michael:

One important point all of your readers should know is that it is difficult for family members, who have loved ones deployed, to get information. There are OPSEC considerations, availability of internet access for the troops and a short window between missions in which to communicate. This makes your site an incredible "window" into the missions and communities that you have covered thus far. As a retired Navy Master Chief, Inshore Undersea Warfare community, I remember my early deployments where the best we could hope for was a letter at mail call, hopefully "scented" (which is still great to receive, by the way). We have links now that were unheard of 30 years ago that help keep us connected. Your site is the best I have found, bar none.

Our son is a USAF CSAR HH-60 pilot who is currently deployed. Your site gives me a glimpse into his day to day experiences. I appreciate the risks you have taken in order to bring us their stories, which is now his story. My financial contribution is enroute.

Finally, from the Master Chief to all servicemembers making posts. Remember that many family members and supportive civilians are visiting this site, and offering thanks to all of our servicemembers. No matter which uniform you wear, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard than some of the comments I have read. At the end of the day what is important is that we serve with honor, character and integrity, no matter the job, no matter the branch, and that we leave no one behind. The only credit you will probably receive is in the knowledge that you made a difference. And that knowledge, that you will carry with you for the rest of your life, is enough.

God Bless our troops, and Michael, Bravo Zulu and keep up the good work.

While our filthy politicians craft meaningless bills, you guys are over here doing the work that needs to be done. Thank you for that guys. My only regret is that I cant be with you. In place of that however, I'll offer my prayers for your protection and safety. May the Lord be with you, and may you/your crew return to us safely and to your family. The real Americans have not forgotten.

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Wow this Pic's are outstanding! I respect all of you guys and I am Proud of you all!! Semper Fi

Truly an outstanding group of people and the story is one every American should be aware of. I'm sending it to all the members of my CAP squadron.

Great piece Michael. I served with the 37th ARRS in Vietnam. I would like to echo what the Chief posted earlier. This site is viewed by many active service personel. Please remember to honor all of our fighting men and women. Another point that has been made is accurate. P.J.'s are CSAR trained, a little different then MEDEVAC. Stay frosty brothers and bring it home.

Reply to PJ in training: The 20 M and 55 M swim test and 1.5 mile run shouldn't be a problem. work on your chin ups, push ups and sit ups. Good Luck slick

My Marine is deploying to the Helmand Valley. It is heart warming to know that there are expertly trained Pilots and Medics on high alert 24-7. My Son is a Combat Engineer and a Certified Paramedic I pray these two units never need to meet, although I know that if they should our Soldiers will be in good hands. Stay Safe, Stay Strong, Stay Focused. God Bless Our Soldiers for Their Courage and Dedication and God Bless You for Telling Their Story.

My hat goes off to the new generation of PJ's and Pedro drivers. What great pictures these are. Really enjoyed seeing them. Keep up the great work and tradition. I am proud to have been part of the community.

Nice going guys....................
You are right on with your comment of other SOP'S medics that are also great.
Special Forces medic's are very well trained for over a year and also in field work.
Saved a great many lives in VN...Laos...Cam bodia and many other places in time.

My Many Thanks to you ALL once again.......... ........WW

Dustoff 57

The motto "That Others May Live" originated with the Air Rescue Service shortly after it was established in March 1946. They were a component of the Air Transportation Command which was which was a USAAF (United States Army Air Force) unit. There was always some question as to whether "We do this that others may live" or "That Others May Live" was the official motto. Both were used initially, but "That Others May Live" was generally accepted as the official motto by 1955. I was assigned to the 7th Air Rescue Group, Wheelus AB, Tripoli, Libya, in 1955 and wore an ARS patch. It was a shield with the Angel of Mercy holding the world in her hands on aa light blue background with a yellow stripe in the center. The scroll underneath read "Air Rescue Service". There were some unofficial variations of this design that had the unit designation in a semi-circle flash above the shield.

On another subject, my nephew was the pilot of Dustoff 90. Dustoff 90 departed Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam for Gia Nghai Special Forces camp on 12 Feb 1968. They never returned. Please pray for them.

Thanks Michael! My husband is an Air Force HH-60 pilot about to go on his 6th deployment. He has been to Afghanistan four times. Thank you for shedding light on the great job that these men and women do. They put their lives on the line to save others every day.

My son is a PJ, he's one tough, smart, honorable man. I am so proud and feel blessed to have him as my son.

Great photos. Time to get out of Afghanistan so we don't have to be doing this.

No one probably noticed, because the story never made headlines and was even just a paragraph or two under other headlines, but the Pedros recently (June 9, 2010) lost a helicopter and the men that were onboard. I know they were Pedros because I know one of them; and it does appear that it was the result of an RPG.

The best link I could find was on the Washington Times where the story was actually the subject of the article:

"NATO helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; 4 U.S. troops killed"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/09/AR2010060901071.html?hpid=topnews

Please pray for these guys: the ones that died, the ones that have to keep going on missions, and the ones that survived the crash only to find themselves in a hospital bed... if they ever wake up.

This war sucks.

Dave Wisniewski, who was on board and survived the helicopter that crashed on June 9, 2010, passed away tonight. He received his Purple Heart on June 23 and celebrated his 31st birthday on June 27. http://wisniewskiblog.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

My Dad did the exact same thing in Korea and Vietnam. He was with the original ( what t.v. called MASH) He passed away recently and I miss him very much. It's funny that he only mentioned shortly before he passed away that they did not carry guns while they were in combat zones. Funny all those years, I never thought about that. I asked if I could get one of his red cross arm bands to make a shadow box. Growing up we had moved so many times that not very much suvived. I will miss him very much. Thank you for your story. Susan Caldwell

My friend and future brother-in-law was an Evaluator Mission Pilot for the 66th search and rescue squadron at Nellis Air Force base Nevada. On June 9th his helicopter was shot down while attempting to rescue troops. He was one of the lucky three to survive the crash then 3 weeks later he passed from of his injuries. He was the most honorable and bravest men we ever had the pleasure of knowing. These "Pedros" are true heros. They deserve more respect than is given. We would like to offer our prayers and thanks to all the men and women still fighting to save lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. We would also like to thank the Wives. fiance, and girlfriends for giving our troops their love and support that gives them the strength to carry out their missions everyday.
Thank you Captain David A. Wisniewski for your sacrifice. We love you and we will never forget you.

Great job with putting this together, its great see how it is through their eyes. Thank you! And thank you to all the military members who serve their country and are good ambassadors to the nations we occupy.

I am a helicopter engineer with the RAF, we quite often see (read multiple times day and night) the pedro's coming to to refuel by our hangar. In fact we are waitng for the time one driver misjudges his turn and just drives straight in! This is the first testament that these guys really know their cab. How they haven't hit us yet we dont know. We have also seen the results of these maniacs (meant in a nice way) after going in to a VERY hot LZ. They were told to wait for double apache cover but decide they would go in regardless. They got the casualties out and returned in a cab that resembled a colender. It was repaired and flying within a couple of days. How the crew were not injured i do not know. But the balls on these guys are massive. And fair play to them, top blokes with no airs or graces just ordinary guys that dont do the job for glory or medals. Maximum respect to all given. Plus your cabs do look rather cool with 50 cals hanging off them and no doors for the pilots. I take it this is so the pilots can shoot when on the ground? If so you are definatly maniacs!

Outstanding! Go Pedro! Here's praying from the Maine Coast you each come home safe and and get as much time as you need to go hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, with as much family time as you need, you've earned it ; ) .
Nice reporting. I was provided a link to this report by a Vietnam Pedro so, yup, you're being watched by some of your old timers!. You've made a difference. 30 years from now when you reflect on it, you'll know you did and wonder just how in the heck you were able to.

Great job to all, I remember it was a team effort. One of the best things about being in the Air Force was being a part of a Pedro air crew. When I was in, Pedro was the "Local Base Rescue" (LBR) bird. Todays crews are doing more of what the "Jolly Greens" did in Viet Nam, God bless and keep you safe. Glad to see Pedro is still around.

Thanks for the dispatch, Michael. These are truly courageous men.

Well done MY, and Bless the Pedros and all the CASEVAC crews. Great folks who care about our soldiers, AND the Afghans.

The Pedros are an invaluable asset to our armed forces. The cohesive bond that they have not only amongst themselves, but with the British and Danish forces as well shows the greatness and strength of this phenomenal team. Thank you Pedros for your selfless caring for those sick and injured in the line of duty. Thank you Michael for your fantastic portrayal of these guys, as well as the awesome pictures that you present that make the depth of the situations really come to life. Keep up the great work Michael!

It is a probe for mid-air refueling.

I have always had tremendous respect for the Air Force's Pararescuemen and the crews they fly with. They are the unsung heroes of the USAF - along with the Combat Controllers working to secure air fields and Combat Weathermen. It seems to me that my Air Force brothers get the short end of the stick in the literary world as there are so few stories that tell of their courage in combat and other life-or-death situations. Only three stories I have read come to mind - Pararescue, Black Hawk Down and Battle of Robert's Ridge. Thank you for this awesome story and the photos accompanying it. I wish I could have seen some of the things you did in regards to how these men save lives.

great article...where are Pedros stationed in the USA? They saved my Irish buddy and gave him a patch but the doctors threw away his uniform (and patch). He'd like another and to thank whoever saved him on 11/24/10 in Geresach. thans again

MY..
Enjoyed your input ref the "Pedros.' I worked w/Pedros back in the "old days" of '65-68 while based at a radar site on Okinawa as a radar operatopr and TAC Controller. I'm not sure, but I think the Pedros were part the vast 33ARS based out of Naha AB. Lots of missions were flown in and around 'Nam, both North and South. Back then Pedros flew the HH-43s. I also seem to remember that the SU-16s were part of the overall effort. I flew a couple of training/orinta tions missions on the SU-16 in the Okinawan FIR dooing "warer works" in Buckner Bay.
Keep up the great work...
The average GI knows from where you come from and where you've been..
Les

Thanks for the article, as an old (80's) medic I worked with the US Army Dustoffs in Korea who flew the "brand new" Blackhawks, complete with targets (Red Crosses) all over. Until I left active duty I was not aware that the PJ's who I have nothing but respect for, flew with weapons. I assumed for many years it was like the SF medics, they were SpecOps and not subject to the Geneva Convention. I realize now it is strictly Army politics and helo companies who benefit from those stupid targets and lack of armament. I left the military years ago, but thanks to Michael for keeping us old soldiers and the public aware of the lack of intelligence of the Army brass.

Better yet, send the Army Brass out in the field where THEY live or die under their own stupid policies.

Worked MEDOPS desk in '09/'10 with and for some OUTSTANDING Army NCOs. They taught me the basics of MEDEVACs and CASEVACs and, upon leaving, graduated me with honors!

Prior to working the desk, however, I spent time with the PJs and their pilots to get a better understanding of THEIR capabilities! Everything you've written to date that I've read, Mike, is 100% in lock-step with what the pedro pilots told me! They come in UNESCORTED and extract whatever wounded are there...REGARDL ESS OF THE CONDITIONS OF LINE-1 AND LINE-6!!

9-line comes in...considerin g who's on-deck will determine how long the "golden hour" takes. As the person on the ground, I'm ASSUMING they'd prefer sooner than later.

Keep up the great work, Mike!! You're an advocate for common sense and I, as an officer, love seeing that!!