Latest "Pararescue" stories

Air Force rethinks combat rescue for major war — but what will it look like?

The Air Force's hunt for a combat search and rescue approach that would work in a war against China or Russia will likely be a two-pronged effort: Help downed aviators survive longer behind enemy lines, and find new ways — perhaps using drones — of finding and reaching them.

By Stephen Losey

17 months ago

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, Air Force Special Operations Command boss, speaks to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 21 attendees in Wisconsin on July 31, 2021. (Senior Airman Miranda Mahoney/Air Force)

Air Force special ops chief says it’s time to embrace new missions

"The idea that anybody at the headquarters thinks special tactics is irrelevant and should be disbanded is patently false."

By Rachel S. Cohen

21 months ago

Alaska Guardsmen rescue pregnant woman after a snowmobile accident

Pararescuemen spent an hour stabilizing the woman so she could evacuate to a hospital.

By Rachel S. Cohen

24 months ago

A snowstorm and a plane crash stranded 13 in the Alaskan wilderness. The Guardsmen who rescued them have won an award.

Search-and-rescue crews were trying to help sick mountain climbers when a crashed plane needed them, too.

By Rachel S. Cohen

2 years ago

'These things we do’: Alaska’s Air Guard search and rescue teams save lives in the wilderness and in combat

In the almost 30 years since assuming search and rescue alert in Alaska, the Air National Guard's 176th Wing has performed more than 2,000 civilian search and rescues and is credited with saving more than 1,750 lives.

By Harm Venhuizen

3 years ago

Investigation: Pararescueman fell to death from cliff when anchor slipped

The deaths of Kraines and a combat controller in a separate incident prompted the Air Force to halt parachuting, diving and mountaineering training and operations for several months.

By Stephen Losey

3 years ago