U.S. Special Operations Specialties

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)

PHOTO - Pararescuemen "fast rope" from a hovering HH-53. The HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter was used extensively during the Vietnam War for special operations and rescue of combat personnel. During past space programs, the HH-53 was on duty at the launch site as the primary astronaut recovery vehicle. Under the Air Force's Pave Low IIIE program, nine MH-53H's and 32 HH-53s were modified for night and adverse weather operations and designated MH-53J's. Their modifications included forward-looking infrared, inertial global positioning system, Doppler navigation systems, a terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, an on-board computer and integrated avionics to enable precise navigation to and from target areas.

Webmaster's Note: This page includes both military SAR and CSAR information.

Hot Link

Jim Thede's USAF Pararescue Page

Arlington funeral honors crew of Jolly Green 67 - Twenty-five years after the longest search-and-rescue mission in Air Force history, two pararescuemen, a mechanic, photographer, pilot and co-pilot, were remembered Nov. 19 for giving their lives trying to save others.

Combat Rescue 'We're Coming to Get You!' - story and photos by TSgt. John K. McDowell

Marines, Air Force conduct first joint SAR exercise on Okinawa - Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 provided two AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters to assist the Air Force's 33rd Rescue Squadron in a combat search and rescue mission. It marked the first time on Okinawa that Marines have assisted in the Air Force version of a Tactical Rescue Aircraft Personnel mission.

Rescue wing supports Operation Northern Watch - Pararescue reservists

Rescue squadrons save three seaman - People in the 71st and 41st Rescue squadrons -- 1st Fighter Wing units assigned to Patrick AFB, Fla. -- specialize in recovering downed pilots behind enemy lines, but their skills were called upon recently to perform a different life- saving scenario.

O'Grady: Attention "still unreal" - Two hours and five minutes after receiving O'Grady's signal -- "This is Basher 5-2" -- the rescue team was on the ground. And in just a little over two minutes, they had the downed pilot aboard a helicopter and headed for safety.

Deployed rescue squadron ready to answer call - Flying the HH-60G Pavehawk, the unit provides combat search-and-rescue support for forces participating in Operation Southern Watch, a coalition tasked with enforcing United Nations Security Council sanctions restricting air and ground operations in southern Iraq.

Countries join forces for NATO search and rescue exercise - Twenty Partnership-for-Peace nations and three NATO countries are taking part in Cooperative Zenith 1996, which focuses on search and rescue procedures in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

Air Force aircrew helps rescue stranded family - The MC-130H, from the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, was in Guam taking part in a joint training mission with Navy SEALS.

SOG trains with Hungarians - The 352nd Special Operations Group wrapped up Combined Rescue '95, an historic eight-day search and rescue exercise with the Hungarian Home Defense Force, July 22. Combined Rescue was the first exercise in the spirit of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.

Combined Rescue ends in Hungary

Coast Guard rescues downed F-15 pilot - First Lt. David M. Nyikos, who was participating in basic flight maneuver training, was picked up less than an hour after ejecting.

PJs Meet the Challenge on Gold Dust Peak - They are trained to be lightening-quick, ready to respond at a moment s notice. A typical scenario A pilot drops out of the sky over enemy territory, and they are on the mov e. Get in, get out, get the job done. They are pararescue specialists. PJs who are prepared to face any environment, any challenge. Water rescue They re trained. Mountain rescue They're trained. Rain-forest rescue They're trained. Medical assistance They're trained.

36th RQF performs daring mountainside rescue - An aircrew from Fairchild's 36th Rescue Flight saved the life of a 26-year-old woman who fell more than 300 feet while hiking in Washington's Cascade Mountains. But the rescue was anything but routine.

Search effort, investigation continue in Namibia - U.S. and coalition airmen have been working for more than a week, carrying out search and rescue missions for 33 passengers and crew members of a U.S. Air Force C-141 Starlifter and German TU-154 that disappeared off the Namibian coast Sept. 13.

MC-130 Combat Talon flies search and rescue teams to Libreville, Gabon

352nd SOG leads Namibian SAR operation

For information on the USAF's MH-60 Pave Hawk, often used for CASR, click here.

For more information on the USAF pararescue teams, click here.

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