Help from Above

Staff Sgt. Justin Schramm, an aerial gunner on an HH-60G Pave Hawk scans the countryside while on a mission here. The Pave Hawks are used for Combat Search and Rescue, and have been operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1991. Sergeant Schramm is from Eugene, Ore., and is currently stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Here Sergeant Schramm is working in the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Susan Tracy)

Help from Above

Staff Sgt. Stephen Skiano, a San Diego, Calif., native deployed with the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here, gazes out on the Afghanistan terrain while heading out on a mission. Sergeant Skiano is a Pararescue Jumper and is deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. PJs are highly trained combat search and rescuemen; they go through 66 weeks of specialized training to become qualified for their job. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Susan Tracy)

33rd Rescue Squadron Airmen assist with recovery operations

Published Dec. 2, 2009
By Capt. David Faggard
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron actively participated with civilian contractor, Air Freight, and located their MI-8 helicopter that went missing, Nov. 23, 2009 in Eastern Afghanistan.

"There were no survivors from the crew of three," according to a company press release. "Investigations into the cause of the crash are also underway however early reports indicate the crew encountered poor weather conditions on-route. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the crew."

The 33rd ERQS operates a highly modified version of the Blackhawk helicopter, the HH-60G Pave Hawk, and is deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan.

The 33rd ERQS deployed with highly skilled aircrews and pararescuemen, the only Department of Defense specialty specifically trained and equipped to conduct conventional or unconventional rescue operations. These Battlefield Airmen are the ideal force for personnel recovery and combat search and rescue.