Jim Thede's USAF Pararescue Homepage Jim Thede's USAF Pararescue Page












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  "BEST OF THE WEB!"

This site is a "Best of the web" selection on TOM HUNTER'S SPECIAL OPERATIONS HOME PAGE! For those of you who don't know: This is absolutely the best Special Operations site on the web!

Select the page you would like to read.

BlackHawk Down!

Read a very well done and indepth story about the 3-4 Oct 1993 Sustained fire-fight in Somolia during the attempt to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Two Pararescuemen and one Combat Controller were there. Includes video and audio exerpts, photos, interviews and more.

Pentagon Quality Award:
This site recently received the Pentagon Quality award for excellence in a military site. It has also been selected as a FEATURED PAGE in the Geocities Pentagon/Air Force section.



Special edition Newsletter - Jim Watson asked me to post the Special edition Newsletter containing information on the return of Jolly 67, and numerous letters in remembrance of CMSGT Chuck Walther who recently passed away. See the Air Force News story Arlington funeral honors crew of Jolly Green 67 for details and photos of the funeral.



Who are we and what do we do? The following job description is extracted from AF Policy Directive 16-12: Pararescue is a component of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) force or part of unconventional Special Tactics Teams (STS) and provides a capability Joint Force Commanders can use to recover combat aircrews and other isolated personnel. Pararescue is the only DOD specialty specifically trained and equipped to conduct conventional or unconventional recovery operations and is the force of choice for assisted survivor recovery. Pararescue performs as an essential surface/air link in Air force and Special Operations search, rescue, and recovery operations by functioning on aircrew status or as surface elements and teams. They provide a rapid response capability and operate in a wide range of adverse geographic and environmental conditions, day or night, on land or water, to include in friendly, denied, hostile, or sensitive areas. They also provide short and long-term survival and evasion assistance, short and long-term emergency and field trauma care, and security. Pararescue forces are capable of moving objectives (personnel and materiel) to safety or friendly control when direct recovery by aircraft is not possible.




Pararescue Creed:
It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before my personal desires and comforts. "These things I do that others may live."

Recommended Pages for first time visitors:

Short history of Pararescue
Learn about the beginnings of Pararescue and some of the accomplishments and missions that PJs have undertaken.

Pararescue Overview
Here is a general overview of the Pararescue career field including capabilities, incentive pays, duty stations, and eligibility requirements.

Indoctrination Course
A complete and detailed description of the OL-H, easily the most physically demanding school in the Air Force. Details of the exercises, water harassment, swim and run times, and other criteria required to graduate the Indoctrination course..."Quality not quantity".

Pararescue School
Visit the final and longest school in the pipeline. Contains descriptions and pictures relating to every phase of the USAF Pararescue school located at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Pictures
Various pictures of exercises and training events. Rarely updated...this too shall pass...

Sign My GuestBook
Sign the guestbook and let me know what you think.

View My GuestBook
See who has been here before.

Been here before?

Then you can see things have changed somewhat. I did this to ensure people get the most from the site. Due to some good feedback, I removed the GIANT opening graphic so the page should load faster. As Always, let me know what you think and fill out the Feedback form so I can improve it even more.

Get the word out:

Spread the word, E-Mail your friends, let them know this page exists! I am getting a lot of hits, E-Mails, and questions but can always go for more! And on that note, please be patient as I am TDY a lot and it may take me a while to clear the mail box.


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These are pages that I have developed relating to Pararescue Training and the site in general.

PARARESCUE OVERVIEW
PHYSICAL ABILITY AND STAMINA TEST
INDOCTRINATION COURSE
SPECIAL FORCES COMBAT DIVER COURSE
ARMY AIRBORNE SCHOOL
ARMY HALO SCHOOL
AF SURVIVAL SCHOOL
AF WATER SURVIVAL SCHOOL
USAF PARARESCUE SCHOOL
MESSAGE BOARD
VIEW GUESTBOOK
SIGN GUESTBOOK
CHAT PAGE
PICTURES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
FEEDBACK PAGE
DUNKER TRAINING
SITE UPDATES
SHORT PARARESCUE HISTORY
VOTE PJ
LINKS
AWARDS

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Marines, Air Force conduct first joint SAR exercise on Okinawa

Rescue squadron aids state after massive ice storm

Air Force names top Pararescuers for 1997

Air Force, Coast Guard rescue 28 people from sinking ship in Atlantic

November 3rd Edition of AF Television News highlights little known and demanding Pararescue careerfield

352nd SOG leads Namibian SAR operation

Air Force Seeks Retrainees for Special Operations

Air Force STARS perform at scout jamboree

Rescue Wing supports Operation Northern Watch

Special Operators demonstrate skills to CMSAF

Special Ops Airman invade speedway for rescue attempt

Reenlistment bonuses increase in 6 skills (Including Pararescue 1T2X1)

Rescue squadrons save three seamen

Canada honors Alaska Air National Guard

Air Force Opens limited prior service recruiting

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Copyright © 1997 & 1998 James J. Thede. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without the expressed written permission of James J. Thede is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of Geocities. DISCLAIMER: This page is an unofficial web site. It does not represent information or opinions endorsed by the United States Government, the United States Air Force or the United States Air Force Special Operations Command. The opinions expressed on this page are STRICTLY those of the author.


All products mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective companies. For more information, contact your local Air Force recruiter, or write/call:
342 TRS/CTFI
Pararescue/Combat Control Selection Team
1780 Carswell Ave., Suite 2
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236-5506
DSN 473-2246/2247 (Fax: 473-3475)
Commercial (210) 671-2246/2247 or 1-800-438-2696




The Webmaster:



TSgt James J. Thede

Accessed
times since 4 Dec 96.


Fill out my feedback survey and tell me what you think, ask questions, or give suggestions as to improving the site.


Updated as often as I can, see whats new at the site.

Other Pararescue related sites


While you're there, check out their new Photo album. They have some good pictures!

Links on this site

THANKS FOR VISITING MY HOME PAGE...IF YOU ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED, IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, AND LIKE A DEMANDING LIFESTYLE, MAYBE YOU CAN BE ONE OF US...MAYBE NOT.

I removed most of the Java™ to speed up the site.
This is not a Java™ intensive web site. Ensure, however, that you have Java™ and Java™ script enabled in the |Options| Network Preferences | Languages | tab...it will enhance your view of the site! Equally viewable with Netscape or Internet Explorer.



Visit the AirBase.


Follow the links to the Special Tactics section and see what the Air Force has to offer regarding information on both the PJ and CCT careerfields.



I received permission from the PJ Association to extract some information from the Pararescue Commemorative History book so look for a well expanded History page...fairly soon...

Air Force Museum Looking for Pararescue Gear:

The Air Force Museum is looking for Pararescue gear donations click the link for contact information if you can help.

While you're there... visit the Pararescue display and other Air Rescue Service displays.


Visit the NASA Trans Oceanic Abort Landing (TAL) site page and see what happens if the shuttle has to abort...NOTE: PJ's are on station at the specified TAL sites every time a shuttle launches...(look under "aircraft support" on the page).