Kadena rescue squadron heads back to Afghanistan

Published July 26, 2007
By Scott D. Hallford
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Less than three months after returning from a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, one Kadena unit is deploying back.

The 33rd Rescue Squadron, which flies the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to conduct combat search and rescue operations, is heading back to Afghanistan on its fourth deployment in the last three years to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

Members of the 33rd RQS "A Flight" completed a 130-day deployment a little more than two months ago, flying 200 sorties and helping to save 116 lives. This deployment sends out "B Flight," comprised of four crews and three Pave Hawks.

With additional support being provided to the Army in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Air Force units are being asked to do more "in-lieu-of taskings," according to Lt. Col. Michael Trumpfheller, 33rd RQS commander, who will also be the deployment commander.

"In the rescue business, we have an inherent capability to do medical evacuations," said Colonel Trumpfheller. "Because of that, we've been tasked by the Department of Defense to support the Army in Afghanistan."

B Flight will be deployed longer than A Flight and has been training for the environment.

"We sent the crews to the United States to Nellis (Nev.) and Davis-Monthan (Ariz.) [Air Force bases] for high-altitude and desert training to get them a little more acclimatized for the environment," said Capt. Jason Gingrich, 33rd RQS B Flight commander.

"When we get there, we'll work with the Army conducting medevacs for U.S. and coalition forces and any Afghans that need to get to a hospital," said Captain Gingrich, who deployed in support of OEF and OIF in 2002, 2003 and 2005. "We sit on alert, 24-7, waiting for a call to respond to someone who needs help."

As an aircraft commander, Captain Gingrich will get more detailed information about a mission request while the rest of the crew prepares Pave Hawk for take off. "From the time we get a call, we're gone in 10-30 minutes," he said. "If you're eating, you wipe your face off, maybe on your sleeve, and go. Just drop whatever you are doing and go."

Since 1998, the 33rd RQS has been credited with saving more than 400 civilian and military lives. More than 230 of these saves occurred during contingency (war zone) combat search and rescue and medical evacuation operations.

"This is what we do," said Tech. Sgt. Greg Cisco, 33rd RQS flight engineer, who has deployed eight times before. "We go pick up people in trouble. We get to do the mission about 1-2 percent of the time. We spend 98 percent of our time training and waiting for something to happen. When it does, it's a great sense of accomplishment when you get back."

This will be the first deployment for 1st Lt. Ryan Coates, 33rd RQS co-pilot. "I think it will be an exciting experience," he said. "You hear all about the mission, and it's a neat opportunity to be involved. I expect the job satisfaction to be very high."

Lieutenant Coates said he does have some apprehension about the deployment. His wife, Brandess, is expecting a child.

"It's Ryan's first deployment and our first child," said Mrs. Coates. "Although Ryan's absence will be painful, we both believe it is for a good reason. He's going to save lives and when he comes home, he will get to help bring new life into the world."

Colonel Trumpfheller said he had to turn away volunteers for this deployment. "Most of the people volunteering just returned from deployment, and I think that illustrates the level of dedication these Airman have for this mission."

Those members not deploying will still be busy with the squadron's mission. The operational tempo for the 33rd RQS left back at home station remains the same, even with up to 50 percent of the squadron gone.

"We still have a mission to maintain here within Pacific Air Forces," said Colonel Trumpfheller. "Part of the squadron will remain here to prepare for an upcoming readiness inspection, and we have to maintain a regular rotation to a detachment at Osan Air Base (Korea)."

Also deploying with the 33rd RQS are elements of Kadena's 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"The 33rd RQS and 33rd AMU have an exceptional working relationship that translates into a cohesive unit when they deploy together," said Lt. Col. Brian Beers, 718th AMXS commander. "Both units have had less recovery and preparation time, but they have done and outstanding job of getting themselves and their aircraft ready to go. They are ready to execute the mission."