Kadena's rescue squadrons train on Okinawa to prepare for the 'real thing'

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  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen from the 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadrons recently trained with U.S. Marines on Okinawa in simulated combat operations at both Kadena Air Base, and Camp Hansen.

The training, which lasted into the night, featured the rescue of injured servicemembers, an integral part of both rescue units' mission while deployed in combat zones.

Kadena photojournalist Senior Airman Amanda Grabiec tagged along with the squadrons as they sojourned the various areas on the island to hone their skills and fulfill their motto "that others may live."

Pararescuemen are among the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the U.S. military. They must maintain an emergency medical technician-paramedic qualification throughout their careers. With this medical and rescue expertise, along with their deployment capabilities, PJs are able to perform life-saving missions in the world's most remote areas.

Their motto "That Others May Live" reaffirms the pararescueman's commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice. Without PJs, thousands of service members and civilians would have been unnecessarily lost in past conflicts and natural disasters.

Check out the slideshow HERE.