33rd RQS, Navy participate in joint helo training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --   Members from the 33rd Rescue Squadron and the Navy's Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fourteen tested each other's capabilities by practicing search and rescue tactics during a joint combat search and rescue exercise Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.

The purpose of the four-day training exercise was to compare rescue tactics between the two branches and learn more about each other's capabilities in a joint forces training environment.

"We conducted various simulations such as personnel recovery in a no-threat and high-threat area, searching for survivors and authenticating survivors," said Capt. David Wisniewski, 33rd RQS executive officer. "The entire training was one big exercise geared toward interoperability between the two branches."

"Joint training like this involves more in-depth planning and briefing to ensure mission success," said Capt. Jason Gingrich, 33rd RQS chief of weapons and tactics. "Due to subtle differences in our tactics and terminology, we used the 'crawl, walk, run' method to ensure both aircrews were on the same page."

Training with the HH-60 helicopter, both squadrons noticed differences in weapon systems and lighting used for night vision goggle operations.

"The Navy uses M-240 machine guns and Hellfire missiles while we use GAU-2 mini-guns," Captain Gingrich said.

The joint training was not the first time the 33rd RQS has worked with the Navy.

"We work with the Navy on a quarterly basis," said Captain Gingrich. "Our training usually involves flying with their helicopters or landing on their ships."

Aside from ongoing joint training with the Navy, the 33rd RQS is also looking forward to working with their Japanese counterparts. Members from the Japan Air Self Defense Force will join the 33rd RQS for a search and rescue exercise in May.

"It's important for us to do joint training like this, particularly in this theater," said Lt. Col. Gary Henderson, 33rd RQS commander. "Since we operate in a combined forces environment, it benefits us to understand how the other branches do business and we gain the ability to work with each other during real-world contingencies."

The 33rd RQS's mission is to provide combat and peacetime search and rescue capabilities for the commander of Pacific Air Forces and to recover downed aircrew and isolated members from friendly, denied, hostile or sensitive areas.

The mission of HS-14 is to detect, localize, and destroy enemy submarines while providing search and rescue and combat search and rescue support to the Hawk-5 team, comprised of the USS Kitty Hawk and the Navy's Carrier Air Wing Five.

The HH-60 helicopter has the capacity to perform nighttime and daytime operations and can carry up to 11 members.