An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

5th Air Force

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pavehawk assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron retrieves pararescuemen and patients from the water during open water rescue training off the shores of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Working with HC-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 79th RQS from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, pararescuemen and rescue craft were deployed to rescue simulated patients and conduct medical treatment until extracted via HH-60G. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, conduct open ocean search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Air Force Pararescuemen are the only DOD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force HC-130J Super Hercules loadmasters assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base drop rescue equipment off the ramp during open water rescue training off the shores of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. The squadron worked with Kadena’s 31st and 33rd RQS, conducting a realistic training scenario for crews to enhance their knowledge on rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron jump from a HC-130J Super Hercules for water rescue training off the shores of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Crews operating the HC-130J assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, HH-60G Pavehawks assigned to the 33rd RQS and Guardian Angels assigned to the 31st RQS conducted realistic open water rescue training, allowing the units a rare opportunity to work with all aspects of rescue forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron check each other's equipment before jumping out of a HC-130J Super Hercules for water rescue training off the shores of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. HC-130J crews executed search operations to find multiple patients afloat, employ pararescuemen, rescue craft to secure patients and provide medical treatment while waiting for extraction via HH-60G Pavehawks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron prepare to jump from a HC-130J Super Hercules for water rescue training with 79th RQS from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the 33rd RQS off the shore of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. With no HC-130J assigned to Kadena AB, this provided a rare opportunity for rescue forces to rehearse operations with all three legs of the rescue triad, the Guardian Angels, HH-60 Pavehawks and HC-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Archuleta, 31st Rescue Squadron flying crew chief, checks technical orders during preflight inspections at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 20, 2023. The 31st RQS conducted water rescue training with the 33rd RQS and the 79th RQS from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, allowing units to work alongside all aspects of rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads it's wings

U.S. Air Force aircrew flight equipment Airmen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron secure cargo inside a HC-130J Super Hercules before taking off at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 20, 2023. The 31st RQS conducted water rescue training with the 33rd RQS and the 79th RQS from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, allowing units to work alongside all aspects of rescue operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

Two U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, prepare to retrieve a parachute during water search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. An HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron completed the rescue triad of a deployment aircraft, Guardian Angels in the water, and HH-60G Pave Hawks circling for retrieval. All three elements ensure maximum efficiency for this complicated movement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

Two U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron are lifted into an HH-60G Pave Hawk during open ocean search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Air Force pararescuemen are the only DOD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, watches a package drop from an HC-130J Combat king II during water search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. The HC-130J assigned to the 79th RS completed the rescue triad of a deployment aircraft, Guardian Angels in the water, and HH-60G Pave Hawks circling for retrieval. All three elements ensure maximum efficiency for this complicated movement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

Three U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, pack a used parachute during water search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. The Airmen on the receiving boats ensure that all equipment gets properly stored for future training and that no debris from the exercise gets left in the water. Most of the Airmen on the boat are pararescuemen as well, guaranteeing safety for the duration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, pack a used parachute during water search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. The Airmen on the receiving boats ensure that all equipment gets properly stored for future training and that no debris from the exercise gets left in the water. Most of the Airmen on the boat are pararescuemen as well, guaranteeing safety for the duration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

Two U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron prepare U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Fredrick Taylor, 31st RQS aviation resource manager, to be a simulated isolated personnel off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Taylor simulated a stranded, injured person in distress while the pararescuemen dropped out of an HC-130J and navigated their way to him. All personnel assigned to the rescue squadron contribute to the efforts of maintaining the Air Force’s dedicated rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, pack a used parachute during water search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. The Airmen on the receiving boats ensure that all equipment gets properly stored for future training and that no debris from the exercise gets left in the water. Most of the Airmen on the boat are pararescuemen as well, guaranteeing safety for the duration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Rescue triad spreads their wings

Two U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron are lifted into an HH-60G during open ocean search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Air Force pararescuemen are the only DOD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Published Aug. 9, 2023
By Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker, Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pavehawk assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron retrieves pararescuemen and patients from the water during open water rescue training off the shores of Okinawa, Japan, July 20, 2023. Working with HC-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 79th RQS from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, pararescuemen and rescue craft were deployed to rescue simulated patients and conduct medical treatment until extracted via HH-60G. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cedrique Oldaker)

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads it's wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings

Rescue triad spreads their wings