Photo By Senior Airman Jasmine Barnes | Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Vincent Savino, left, 38th Rescue Squadron’s first...... read more read more
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MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – The 38th Rescue Squadron hosted a celebration in honor of its 20th anniversary at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 21, 2021.
Although the rescue mission has not changed, the ability to accomplish the mission has improved over the last 20 years.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Paul Miller, 38th RQS’ first chief enlisted manager, took on the role to establish the unit by pulling pararescue men out of the flying squadrons.
“It was important that we set it up well (because) it’s not that this unit just exists 20 years later — it’s thriving,” Miller said.
Since 2001, the squadron has been able to live up to their mission statement and continue to bring Airmen home.
“The mission is to provide expert mission planning and joint leadership in all warfighting domains (in order) to (execute) innovative personnel recovery,” said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wierzba, 38th RQS first sergeant. “Our Air Force mission is to fly, flight and win, but you can’t fly and fight if you’re down a pilot that needs somebody to come get them. That’s how we get involved.”
This squadron bares some unique qualities that validate its capabilities to save Airmen in danger. The 38th RQS is the only rescue squadron here with pararescue Airmen, and it is one of five units in the world with the designation of Guardian Angel – a unit that includes the capabilities of combat rescue officers; pararescue; survival, and evasion, resistance and escape specialists who are specifically trained in personnel recovery.
“Personnel recovery is one of those missions where it’s a tactical execution with strategic effect,” Miller said. “What makes this squadron unique is that it’s one of the few (units) where the people are the weapons systems. When we were envisioning this (unit), it was for the pararescue men and SERE specialists to do their job independent of transportation.”
Moving forward, members of the 38th RQS hope to incorporate more innovative technology in order to stay ahead of adversaries.
“We’re looking at better technology to integrate into the pararescue mission,” Wierzba said. “The pararescue men and combat rescue officers are human weapon systems.”
Wierzba added that with the help of technology, pararescue men will be more proficient in locating enemies on the battlefield and Airmen in need of rescue.
In 20 years, the rescue mission has remained constant, but the capabilities of 38th RQS Airmen continue to grow.
“It’s been an incredible experience to be back here and participate in the 20-year anniversary celebration,” said retired Col. Vincent Savino, first commander of the 38th RQS. “It’s just amazing to see how things have evolved from the seeds we planted 20 years ago come to fruition and the capability of the guys and gals have (in order to) move forward with everything that’s going on today.”
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2021 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 397332 |
| Location: | MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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