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31st RQS serve their time in HOA

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Several members of the 31st Rescue Squadron returned recently to Kadena from a 130-day deployment to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 20 personnel and French pararescuemen comprised the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, also known as the Guardian Angel squadron, and were assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.

"The Guardian Angel's support in the HOA was critical due to the high risk of isolation, lack of general infrastructure, and lack of governmental control in many areas of operation," said Lt. Col. Stephen Goodman, 31st Rescue Squadron commander.

The squadron delivered significant specialized skill sets to the combatant commander, including: combat medical treatment under fire, multiple-platform insertion by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter on sea or land, small unit tactics, technical rescue (including high-angle rope rescue, vehicle extrication, structural collapse, and confined space), and subsurface recovery.

"We were out there to conduct personnel recovery and rescue," said Master Sgt. Rich Carroll, 31st RQS operations superintendent.

Sergeant Carroll added that their rescue operations were not just limited to those areas surrounding Camp Lemonier, but 16 different countries spanning an area three-fourths the size of the United States.

The primary platform the pararescuemen used for training and to conduct their missions was a C-130 from the Marine Corps. Using this aircraft, along with HC-130's and CH-53 Sea Stallions, allowed the team to experience a true joint environment, which is normally not possible.

"We were able to upgrade our 3-level Airmen in less than four months in parachute operations," he added.

During their training evolutions, the pararescuemen were able to conduct a few real world missions. On one such mission, the unit recovered a French Naval commando who was severely injured during training. Shortly thereafter, the team performed a shipboard recovery of a Navy sailor, saving him from serious medical complications and possible death. They also helped their Djiboutian neighbors working out at sea.

Although their deployment ended, the Guardian Angel unit continues to provide help in any environment, day and night.

"It never really ends for us rescuers," said Capt. Matt McGuinness, 31st RQS director of operations. "We are a low density, high demand asset in the Air Force."

Over the course of the deployment, the 31st RQS provided 3,000 hours of alert coverage to U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Southern Command.