Another display of just plain competence

[IronWing]

Pararescuers at work.

Good on these guys. :thumbsup:

 

[Markbnj]

Pretty neat, although it seems odd it would be a crew from AZ, given the massive USCG and Navy presence off that coast.

The distance required to reach the sailors has been the most challenging, Schwennesen said. Because of an estimated six-hour flight that included flying over miles of ocean, a refueling aircraft was dispatched from the Arizona Air National Guard in Phoenix.

Got to be something missing from this story. Why is the AZ National Guard flying long range rescue missions over the Pacific?

 

[Ruptga]

That is weird, and it seems like a lot of money to spend over two fishermen. I guess nobody else was available?

That has to be an interesting job though, pararescue. I doubt my balls are big enough for that.

 

[phucheneh]

Maybe it was just a logistics thing. The USCG probably does all their operations out of choppers...perhaps the guys in AZ were the closest ones with planes ready to go, plus paratroopers with medical training. I'm guessing pararescue isn't exactly a universal thing...probably limited to a couple specific bases.

Hell, surely Army Airborne is bigger, and they only have three units, all based in fairly close proximity.

 

[wischeez]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Air_Force_rescue_squadrons

http://www.dm.af.mil/units/563rdrescuegroup/index.asp

Tanker was probably a KC-135 from the Air Guard. Pararescue was probably active duty Air Force.